KOLKATA: An early morning accident involving a milk van at Tollygunge on Friday led to the death of a private security guard and left at least three injured. The accused driver said he was trying to a save a schoolboy who had come in front of his vehicle after dodging illegally parked autos.The police’s version was drastically different. “It was peak time for school-bound traffic and there were several people waiting for buses and autos near ITC Sangeet Academy at the Tollygunge Metro crossing around 8.15am. The driver claimed he applied brakes, but by then, he had hit a bicyclist who was flung into the air. We believe he was overspeeding and the brakes were applied too late,” said an officer. The case has now been handed over to the fatal squad of Kolkata traffic police The bicyclist, private security guard Aniruddha Chakraborty, 50, died after being taken to MR Bangur Hospital , 400m from the accident spot. Witnesses said the victim’s upper body was so crushed that he had to be carried the short distance in a rickshaw.Police said that the other injuries happened when auto passengers jumped out of the van’s way when it was trying to speed away. A few auto drivers claimed that two of their vehicles were also hit by the van. The accused was later arrested and cops said he was likely to be charged with harsher sections.Locals claimed the accident had a lot to do with illegal auto and cabs being parked on this flank. The two autos that were hit were illegally parked at the spot. “The traffic cops had recently removed the auto stands from this flank, there are dedicated pedestrian channels and the bus stop has been pushed back towards Sangeet Academy. However, during the school hours in the morning when policing is lax, the auto drivers insist on parking on this stretch. The buses stop anywhere in a 30feet stretch. ,” said Mandakranta Majumdar , a regular commuter.

Stay updated with all the Kolkata Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.