Youth run over by bus at Santhome, residents demand traffic signal

Say vehicles coming at a breakneck speed cause of frequent accidents

After an 18-year-old was mowed down by an MTC bus on the Santhome High Road on Sunday, locals staged a road blockade urging the police to take action against the bus driver. They also wanted a traffic signal erected at the spot.

According to the residents, accidents were frequent on this stretch. “This is not the first accident. Buses and other vehicles come at a high speed from Madha Church Road - Demonte Street junction to Foreshore Street. Many schoolchildren use this stretch and it is with great fear we send them to school,” said Akhila, a resident.

P. Raja, another resident, said they had been demanding a traffic signal at the junction for a long time, but no steps had been taken.

“If there is a signal here, vehicles will slow down to an extent. The police should consider this request,” he said.

Victim was breadwinnner

The victim, Joseph alias Ajit’s relative Sarguna Devi said that he had left home with two of his friends, but she did not know whether he went on a bike or by walk. “He is the breadwinner of the family. His mother, Renuka, and sister are dependent on him. He is a fisherman but also goes for construction work,” she said.