Class 10 student killed after tractor overturns near Gudiyatham

A Class X student was killed after a tractor he was travelling overturned at Bathalapalli village near Gudiyatham town in Vellore on Friday.

Police said the deceased student was identified as A. Hari (15), who had written his Board examinations. Initial inquiry revealed that tractor owner B. Sekar (52) was allegedly involved in illegal sand mining from river Malattaru river, a tributary of Palar, for many years.

A local associate A. Lokesh (18) used to help him to illegally mine sand from the dry riverbed. In the early hours on Friday, Sekar assigned the work to Lokesh, who took his friend’s son Hari along with him.

After returning with sand, Lokesh was driving the vehicle on Bathalapalli Main Road when he lost control of the vehicle. Hari was sitting next to him in the vehicle. The tractor overturned and fell into a six feet deep pit away from the carriageway. Hari sustained serious injuries. Passersby and other residents rushed the duo to Government Taluk Hospital in Pernambut town where doctors declared Hari dead on arrival. A case was registered by Bathalapalli police. The tractor owner and driver were arrested. A probe is underway.