Garbage truck accident kills toddler

Thane: A 2-year-old child was killed after being allegedly run over by a garbage collection vehicle operated by a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation contractor Saturday morning.

Senior inspector Sandeep Shivale at the Hill Line police station said the accident was reported around 7 am in Vasar village area along the fringes of Kalyan-Dombivli when the 2-year-old boy was returning home with his father when he got knocked down by the passing van.

The impact killed the boy instantly, following which a large crowd gathered at the spot. Residents complained of frequent instances of reckless and negligent driving by the refuse-laden vehicles operated by the contractor in the past and demanded action.

The police meanwhile booked the vehicle driver and are investigating the case further.

Additional municipal commissioner at KDMC, Harshal Gaikwad, told TOI that an inquiry has been independently launched in the incident to probe how the mishap occurred, following which appropriate action would be taken.