A 23-year-old journalist, working with a private news channel, and his mother were killed in a road accident this morning near here.
Rakesh Chauhan and Kamlesh Bai were riding a motorcycle when a speeding truck rammed into their two-wheeler from behind on the Raipur-Bilaspur highway in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, around 100 km from here, police said.
Rakesh and his mother (40) were going to Pausri village when the accident took place at Dhekuna village under Simga Police Station limits, a police official told PTI.
Rakesh was working as a journalist with ETV Madhya Pradesh /Chhattisgarh channel at the state capital Raipur.
"Rakesh had his weekly off today. He went to his native place Mohgaon from where he and his mother left for Pausri to procure ration from a fair price shop," said Priyanka Kaushal, Editor of ETV MP/Chhattisgarh, Raipur Bureau.
The two were crushed under the rear tyre of the vehicle.
Kamlesh died on the spot and Rakesh succumbed to his injuries while being taken to Raipur for treatment, the official said.
The driver fled from the spot along with the vehicle.
Based on the vehicle's registration number, efforts were on to trace the driver and details of the truck owner have been sought from the Regional Transport Office, he said, adding a case has been filed in connection with the mishap.
Kaushal said due to an ongoing strike by '108' ambulance service staff, Rakesh couldn't be shifted to hospital on time.
As per information, Rakesh lay on the road for about an hour after the mishap.
"Later with the help of police, he was rushed to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, where he was declared brought dead," she added.
According to doctors at the hospital, Rakesh could have been saved if he was given timely treatment. He died of excessive bleeding, Kaushal said.
Rakesh was the sole bread earner for his family. He left behind two younger brothers, a sister and grandmother.
