STUDENT CRUSHED TO DEATH BY TIPPER

A grade-four student was killed on the spot when he was run over by a tipper on the crossing line at Nawalapitiya, police said yesterday.

The tipper was carrying a load of sand from Mahiyangana to Hatton when the tragedy occurred opposite the Municipal office.

The student of Anuruddha Kumara National School in Nawalapitiya was identified as nine-year-old Ashen Pasindu Kumara a resident of Gondennawa and the youngest in a family of three children.

The seriously injured student was rushed to the Nawalapitiya District Hospital but died on admission.

It was revealed that the main crossing in the heart of Nawalapitiya Town does not have a police officer to control traffic and vehicles are often seen ignoring the pedestrians crossing the road.

When the student’s relatives had brought this matter to the notice of the police it was found that the woman police constable assigned for duty at the crossing during school closing times had been absent from her point of duty at the time of the tragedy.

The constable, who was found to have absented herself on unauthorised leave, had been interdicted pending further inquiries.

The school’s primary section head Susil Weeraratne said Pasindu Kumara was a bright student who excelled in extracurricular activities.The magisterial inquiry was conducted by Nawalapitiya Acting Magistrate Manohari Jayalath.

Police said the tipper driver was arrested and would be produced in Court soon.

Investigations are being carried out under the direction of ASP Chulani Weeraratne and ASP Nimal Dharmapriya.

The main crossing in the Nawalapitiya Town does not have a police officer to control traffic