Baby killed, eight injured in expressway accident

24 September 2013 02:44 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A two-year-old baby died and eight others seriously injured when a van skidded and toppled at the 23.1 km mile post between Dodangoda and Gelanigama exits on the Southern Expressway today, police said.

The deceased was identified as Fathima Hamsa (02).

The van had entered the Expressway at Pinnaduwa in Galle for a journey to Kurunegala through Colombo.

Investigations revealed that the vehicle had gone out of control due to a tyre puncture of a front wheel, veered off the lane and toppled.

The injured were admitted to Nagoda Hospital in Kalutara. (Text and pix by Siri Mahabellana, Kusal Chamath)

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Comments - 18

PLP Wednesday, 25 September 2013 03:45 AM

True, but actually there are no that much serious curves on this highway.

james bond Thursday, 26 September 2013 07:55 AM

killings are still going on there,now very deferent ways.

concerned Thursday, 26 September 2013 07:52 AM

really dm you called a 2year old a baby? its a toddler for crying out loud. also it could have been bad or bald tyres. or something on the road which is impossible.

Slites do not know how to handle a vehicle that skids. ppl drive through black ice abroad and still get through ot. plus im sure that toddler wasnt strapped into a car seat. smart parenting!

Suq Madique Wednesday, 25 September 2013 09:32 AM

So what? Even the US borrows from China for their development work.

Vajira Ratnayaka Wednesday, 25 September 2013 09:07 AM

Faster the speed limit becomes more awareness should be brought about wearing seat belts and baby seats! No seat belts = hefty fine! Drivers and Passengers need to be more declined!

Jonny Wednesday, 25 September 2013 08:09 AM

Ram, obviously you have not been on the expressway and have no idea as to how funding is sourced to build such infrastructure.

Nodrog Wednesday, 25 September 2013 07:59 AM

RampUK, it must be really hurting you that we are progressing after the war.

Ram UK Wednesday, 25 September 2013 07:05 AM

why country like SL need an express way build with the borrowed money???? if ppl, vehicles and the funds are not ready dont built it. Normal roads are more than enough for SL economic activities. May be it is built for white vans....

ram Wednesday, 25 September 2013 07:05 AM

PLP I agree 100% with your comments, Police should take some immediate action on wrong line drivers.

Nodrog Tuesday, 24 September 2013 04:51 PM

Before our local pundits blame the road they have to realize it was bad tyres that caused the accident.

PLP Wednesday, 25 September 2013 03:43 AM

This highway is not that slippery, compared to other Sri Lankan roads. As a road where people will (legitimately) try to go at 100km speed, this highway's main two hazards are, 1). Dogs, cats, cows sometimes entering it. 2) Slow drivers not keeping to the left lane, and sometimes even driving slow in the middle of the two lanes blocking both lanes. Imagine someone coming at 100km coping up with those. Although there are CCTV monitoring and cops stationed no action done on this 2nd menace of bad lane discipline, unless those drivers look at these tragedies and think by themselves and adopt lane discipline someday on their own..

LonwaboTsotsobe Wednesday, 25 September 2013 03:18 AM

Decades old vehicle, probably poorly maintained. Vans are anyway unstable at high speeds. Drivers need to realize that. Sri Lankan drivers has to evolve a lot more to drive on expressways.

R Liyanage Wednesday, 25 September 2013 02:28 AM

RIP babay

Seriously Wednesday, 25 September 2013 12:56 AM

The people were educated on lanes, speed, good tires etc... but more, tire pressure to be equal, break balance, weight distribution for larger vehicles and many more - our guys need to learn a lot more on travailing at high speeds. So sad a baby had to get killed.

sarath Wednesday, 25 September 2013 12:56 AM

I have been since 1965 and personal driver thought me not accelerate at the first half of the curve. we had a 203 car and we drove at 60 MPH which is equal to 100 KMPH. mind that we did not have much traffic. I was much confident and it was a smooth driving. today even my children do not obey this rule they are unto themselves.

warra Tuesday, 24 September 2013 10:33 PM

like I have mentioned before.. its the people in the vehicles to be blamed. iv seen on the expresway the last time I visited SL, only the two front passengers wearing seat belts. and if there is a child he or she is on the lap of the parent. this is rediculas, there is no common sence at all. child restrainers should be introduced. and pass the bloody law for all passengers to wear belts.

lilanthaq Tuesday, 24 September 2013 09:25 PM

van looks old wonder it was fitted with seat belts and a baby seat

Aegon Tuesday, 24 September 2013 05:14 PM

May you attain NIbbana!

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Baby killed, eight injured in expressway accident

Comments - 18

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