Kumta: A flower trader, who was also a mini truck driver, was crushed to death after a speeding lorry ran over him when he was sleeping on the roadside bench on the late night of 19th December, Sunday near Muroor cross NH-66 in the town.

The deceased has been identified as Farookh Shaikh, a resident of Yadgiri. 

According to sources, Farookh was sleeping on a bench across the roadside when a speeding lorry crushed him. He was also a driver of 407 mini truck and had been to Kumta from Pune with flowers laden on his mini truck. 

The speedy lorry which was loaded with milk powder was heading to Kumta from Gujarat at the time of the accident. The reckless driving of the lorry is said to be as the reason behind this ghastly accident. Lorry driver Hemtaji and cleaner sustained minor injuries.

A case has been registered in Kumta police station.