Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 21: A KSRTC bus, previously involved in two separate fatal accidents, has now been part of a third incident, seriously injuring two young men. The earlier accidents claimed the lives of a father and son, as well as a good Samaritan who was helping schoolchildren cross a highway.

The KSRTC bus (KA 19 F 3317) collided head-on with a car near Ujirandipalke in Maninalkoor village, Bantwal taluk, on September 20. Dikshith from Parardottupalke and Dhanush from Madadka in Kavala Mudoor village sustained serious injuries and were admitted to a private hospital.

It was later revealed that the same bus had been involved in two previous fatal accidents.

The first occurred on June 6, 2025, when the bus struck and killed 28-year-old auto-rickshaw driver Zahid on National Highway 75 near Farangipete, Bantwal taluk. Zahid was reportedly helping schoolchildren safely cross the road when the speeding bus hit him, killing him on the spot.

Earlier, on May 11, 2025, the bus was involved in a serious accident at Kuvettila near Kabaka on the Mani-Mysuru National Highway, claiming the lives of Arun Kulal (45), a member of Narikombu Grama Panchayat, and his son Dhyan (15). Arun Kulal died at the scene, while Dhyan succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Authorities and public representatives are urged to take immediate action. While two fatal accidents could be coincidental, a third clearly raises serious concerns. Reports indicate that KSRTC drivers were reluctant to operate this bus even after the second accident.