Earthmover driver’s negligence claimed two lives

Bengaluru: If only earthmover driver Rajkumar, 45, from Hoskote, had taken extra care while operating his machine in Suddaguntepalya, southeast Bengaluru Monday night, two mothers to minor children would be living happily with their families.M Sumati and Sonu Kumari Verma, both aged 35 and residents of Suddaguntepalya, were walking back home after purchasing groceries. As they were walking talking to each other, a huge electric pole fell on their heads, killing them instantly. "Earthmover driver Rajkumar was reversing the vehicle. At the same time, the machines arm with a bucket was raised. It came in contact with a live wire above, dragged it, literally yanking off the electric pole from which the overhead wire had been drawn. The pole fell on the women," a police officer said.Police said the earthmover was brought for road repair work. Sumati and her husband Murugan work as housekeeping staff with a private firm, while Sonu, wife of cabbie Shankar Verma, was a homemaker. Mother to a minor boy, she was four months pregnant, police said.