A 35-year-old man lost his life due to the alleged negligence on the part of the Public Works Department (PWD) and its contractor after he fell into an uncovered 20-foot-deep trench near an under-construction bridge in Kangniwal village on the Jandu Singha-Lamma Pind road late on Sunday night.The victim, riding his motorcycle around 11 pm, reportedly plunged into the trench as there were no warning signs, crash barriers or diversion indicators placed ahead of the site for night-time commuters. The area was poorly lit, making it impossible for him to see the danger ahead. Iron rods protruding from the mesh laid at the base of the trench for the construction of a bridge pillar pierced his eyes, leaving him with no chance of survival. With no one around to help in the darkness, he succumbed to his injuries.PWD officials, however, maintained that drums had been put up and diversions had been pointed out at the site but the biker perhaps did not see these as he was driving at a high speed.Worse, the victim’s body was spotted this morning and he could not be identified as some anti-social elements had stolen his purse that could have his ID proof. He was later identified from the registration number of his bike as Vikas Jassar from Phillaur. Shocked after the tragic death, his family members told the police that even a gold chain that he wore was missing. The labourers working at the site told the villagers that they had heard a scream in the night but did not go out to see what had happened.Ex-sarpanch of Kangniwal village Gurvinder Nayyar said this was not for the first time that such a tragic incident had happened. “The stretch is under-construction for the past nearly five years with no precautions being undertaken for the commuters. It has taken the contractor over two years and still the bridge has not been constructed. In January, another youth had met with an accident at the same spot and had suffered head injuries. Thankfully, he recovered after remaining hospitalised”, he said.SHO, Patara, Ram Kishan confirmed that the victim had been identified and the family had been informed about the incident. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said he had asked the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, to inquire, look into the causes of the accident and report to him in three days.”He has been asked to point out lapses, if any. Action will be taken on the basis of any adverse report, if pointed out in the inquiry. We shall also discuss the issue in the coming road safety committee meeting”, said the DC.Purse, chain found stolenThe victim’s body was spotted this morning and he could not be identified as some anti-social elements had stolen his purse that could have his ID proof. He was later identified from the registration number of his bike as Vikas Jassar from Phillaur. Shocked after the tragic death, his family members told the police that even a gold chain that he wore was missing.