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Driver falls asleep, runs over pedestrian
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By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
A driver who fell asleep at the wheel has run over a father of a schoolboy who was waiting for the school van by the Puttalam-Chilaw road, on Friday.
The incident had occurred during the early hours as he was waiting by the road at the Madurankuliya Pubudugama area until his son got into the school van.
The victim Janaka Thissera
Eye witnesses say the victim Warnakulasooriya Janaka Thissera on seeing a van veering off the road and heading towards them had pushed his son Theshan Methusara Thissera away, thereby saving his life. However Mr Thissera was run over by the vehicle.
Residents of the area rushed him to the Puttalam Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on admission.
The driver of the van had driven the vehicle to the Madurankuliya Police Station. He was produced in Puttalam courts.
Puttalam base hospital, Director Dr Sumith Aththanayake said that the lives of passengers, drivers and pedestrians are in danger, if vehicle operators fail to control their vehicles due to drowsiness or fatigue.
He said drivers who feel exhausted or sleepy should immediately stop the vehicle and rest at least 30 minutes to avoid accidents. “Drivers tend to chew beetle leaves, drink tea claiming that they can manage, yet the act itself is a risk that could lead to an accident,” he said.
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