Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (TP)

Kundapur, Feb 9: Six students sustained serious injuries after a Fortuner car overturned and plunged into a roadside drain on the opposite carriageway of National Highway-66 near Kannukere, in front of the Navashakti Kalyana Mantapa on Monday, February 9.

The accident occurred when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to jump the divider and overturn into the drain on the opposite side of the highway. At the time of the mishap, six students, including the driver, were travelling in the car.

The injured have been identified as students pursuing law and engineering courses at colleges in Pune, Maharashtra.

According to police sources, a total of 12 persons had embarked on a nationwide tour on January 31, travelling in two cars. After visiting the Tirupati temple, they were returning to Pune when the accident took place near Tekkatte.

All six occupants of the Fortuner suffered serious injuries. Local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the incident, rescued the injured from the overturned vehicle and shifted them to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigation indicates that overspeeding and rash driving may have caused the accident. Police have also expressed suspicion that the students might have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the mishap.

Kota police visited the accident site, conducted an inspection and registered a case. Further investigation is underway.