Updated

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala

Karkala, Jan 23: The death toll in the horrific road accident involving a private bus and an SUV near Kambala Cross in Miyar village rose to four, while nine persons, including a child, sustained injuries. The accident occurred at around 2.50 pm on Friday, Januray 23.

The deceased have been identified as SUV driver Mannappa, Chetan (27), Rohith (28) and Mallamma (50), all from the same family. The injured include Sangeetha (40), Kavitha (38), Basavaraj (56), Kishore (28), Lakshmi (25), Jyothi (25), Jayalakshmi (24) and a two-year-old child Kushal. All of them are reported to be residents of Kalaburagi district.

As many as 13 persons, including a child, were travelling in the SUV. Of them, five who sustained serious injuries were shifted to a hospital in Manipal, while the remaining injured are undergoing treatment as inpatients at a hospital in Karkala. The child, who suffered minor injuries, is stated to be out of danger.

The victims had set out from Kalaburagi in the SUV to visit religious centres. After visiting Sri Krishna Math in Udupi, they were proceeding towards Dharmasthala via Karkala. It is alleged that a private bus, which was travelling at high speed from Beltangady towards Karkala, came to the wrong side of the road at a curve and collided head-on with the SUV.

The impact of the collision left the SUV completely mangled, causing severe injuries to its occupants. Three persons who were critically injured died on the spot, while Mallamma, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Manipal, later succumbed to her injuries.

A case has been registered at the Karkala city police station in this regard.

Meanwhile, locals alleged that roadworks are underway at several points between the Karkala Pulkeri bypass and Mala Ghat and claimed that the unscientific and slow-paced execution of the works has led to frequent accidents. They expressed anger over the authorities’ alleged apathy despite repeated mishaps in the stretch.

The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the SUV completely mangled. The occupants of the SUV were trapped inside the vehicle and had to be rescued by local residents and passersby, who rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue operations.

The accident occurred at around 3.30 pm. While three occupants of the SUV died on the spot, six others who sustained serious injuries were immediately shifted to the Karkala government hospital. Some of the injured were later referred to Manipal hospital for advanced treatment. The condition of a few injured persons is said to be critical.

The mishap led to traffic disruption on the Miyar road for some time.

The incident falls under the limits of the Karkala town police station. Police have visited the spot and are conducting an investigation. Preliminary inquiry indicates that negligence on the part of the bus driver may have led to the accident.