Bengaluru, June 19: A celebratory outing turned tragic for a Bengaluru family after 27-year-old Akshay, who was returning home with mutton for his father’s birthday meal, died from injuries sustained when a tree branch fell on him. The incident occurred on June 15 near Brahma Mandir in Srinivas Nagar, under BBMP limits.
Akshay, a resident of Katriguppe, Banashankari, and the sole breadwinner of his family, was walking back home when a large branch suddenly snapped and struck him on the head. He collapsed on the spot and was initially rushed to Prashanth Hospital in Thyagarajanagar. Due to the severity of his head injuries, he was later shifted to Apollo Hospital in Jayanagar, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Despite five days of intensive treatment, Akshay was declared brain dead. He succumbed to a cardiac arrest at 1:15 PM on Wednesday, June 19.
The young man worked as an HR executive at a private company in Rajajinagar and supported his entire family. His sudden death has devastated his parents, who had hoped for his recovery through prayer and religious rituals, including homas and havans. Their efforts, however, were in vain.
Following the incident, the BBMP covered Akshay’s medical expenses, but the grieving family has accused the civic body of negligence. They allege that poor maintenance of ageing trees in the area directly led to Akshay’s death. As tensions rose, police were stationed outside Apollo Hospital to ensure order.
Residents of Srinivas Nagar have demanded a thorough audit of old and weakened trees in the city, calling on BBMP to take urgent steps to prevent further tragedies.
Akshay’s death, the second such incident in recent times, has reignited concerns about public safety in Bengaluru and the need for stronger urban tree management protocols.
