In a tragic turn of events, a seven-year-old boy was killed on the streets yesterday, while attempting to catch a golf ball that came flying out of the Willingdon sports club in Mahalaxmi. The incident occurred at 9.50 am yesterday, when Krishna Kharwa (7) was playing in Bodyguard Lane near the club at Haji Ali circle. A golf ball, hit by a player inside the club, came flying out onto the streets. In a bid to catch it, Krishna ran behind it, and a tempo carrying CNG gas cylinders rammed into him.

Vehicle of death: The tempo that ran over the child. Locals say children often collect golf balls from outside the club and sell it back to golf players at the club

Krishna came under its wheels and died on the spot. The driver of the tempo, Bashir Sheikh (45) fled from the scene and went straight to the Haji Ali police chowky to take shelter so a mob wouldn’t beat him up.

Krishna’s neighbours said the boy’s father works at the club, holding bags for the players. A neighbour, on condition of anonymity, said, “The child was born after five years of marriage. The child’s mother has died and he used to live with his stepmother, father and two sisters.” Krishna used to go to a municipal school nearby.

‘Balls for money’
Another child from the area who witnessed the accident told this paper that children collect golf balls and sell it back to people who come to play golf in the club. “The tempo was travelling at high speed and ran over Krishna. He was running to catch the ball that came on the road from inside the club. Children sell these balls to golf players at the club,” he added.
Though the child was rushed to Nair Hospital, he had already passed. His post-mortem would be conducted there.