Disabled youth falls off bike, killed

BENGALURU: A 25-year-old physically challenged man died after he lost control over his altered bike at Veerananjipura Gate on Tumakuru-Bengaluru road on Tuesday night.

Nelamangala traffic police said the accident occurred 30 minutes past midnight when Hemath Kumar, a resident of Chikkagollarahatti off Magadi Road, west Bengaluru, was riding towards Tumakuru.

Kumar, who had lost both his hands due to electrocution at the age of five, had attached an additional tyre on the right side of his bike so that he could operate the vehicle using his legs.

However, the tyre burst and Kumar lost control of the bike. Both Kumar and Veerendra, who was riding pillion with him, sustained head injuries. Passersby alerted police and called for an ambulance. The two were rushed to Nelamangala government hospital, where Kumar succumbed to injuries around 2.40am on Wednesday. Veerendra was rushed to Nimhans for treatment and was shifted to a private hospital later. Police said his condition is critical.

Kumar’s father R Mani, an auto driver, and mother Jyothi were inconsolable at the mortuary in Nelamangala Government Hospital. Jyothi said her son never gave up in life despite the challenges that came his way. He completed his degree in computer applications and used his right leg to write, she said. Jyothi told police their elder son drowned in Mallathahalli Lake, west Bengaluru, 15 years ago.

‘ He dreamt of Guinness record’

“Kumar never disappointed us. He had big dreams. He was working on directing short films and managed to build contacts with several actors and technicians in Sandalwood. Recently, he rode his bike in a reality show and was aiming for a Guinness record in bike riding. Sadly, the bike became the cause of his death,” said Jyothi.