Mumbai: Speeding tanker knocks down, kills man; hunt for driver ongoing

According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Suraj Sheikh – originally hailed from West Bengal and was currently staying with his family at an under-construction site in Byculla – who worked as a labourer at an under-construction site.

“It was his week off on Thursday, which is why he decided to visit his cousin, Lalchan Sheikh, in Grant Road,” an officer said.

At around 11.30am, Sheikh and his friend, Saidul Shah, started for Grant Road. After visiting Lalchan, they were returning when Sheikh was knocked down by a speeding tanker.

“We had reached near Pila House junction in Grant Road and were waiting at the signal. When the pedestrian signal turned green, we started crossing the road, but suddenly a tanker jumped the signal and knocked him down,” Shah’s statement to the police read.

The officials further added that Sheikh sustained injuries but managed to get up and started walking, after which he suddenly collapsed on the road. He lost consciousness, following which Saidul informed his father and rushed Sheikh to Nair Hospital.

“Sheikh was declared dead during treatment,” an officer said. The officials from DB Marg police station were informed, and a case of rash and negligent driving was registered.