Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 15: In two separate and devastating road accidents reported from the outskirts of Bengaluru, at least 12 people lost their lives, including six school students, sending shockwaves across the district.
Five killed in KSRTC bus-car collision near Nelamangala
In the first incident, five youngsters were killed in a horrific collision between a car and a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus near Jindal on the outskirts of Nelamangala.
According to preliminary reports, the car was travelling towards Bengaluru from Tumakuru when the driver allegedly lost control. The vehicle is said to have jumped the median and rammed head-on into an oncoming KSRTC bus. The impact was so severe that the car was completely mangled, while the front portion of the bus sustained extensive damage.
The deceased have been identified as Durga Prasad (20), Keshav (19), Lalith (22), Harshit (20), and another Lalith (22). Four of them died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the Nelamangala Government Hospital.
Harshit was a second-year degree student at Sai Vidya College in Rajanukunte. Family members said he had left home around 8.30 pm stating that he was going to meet a friend. The accident occurred while they were returning towards Bengaluru. A case has been registered at the Muddanayakanahalli police station, and further investigation is underway.
Six students among seven killed in multi-vehicle crash near Hoskote
In another tragic mishap early Friday morning, seven people, including six school students, were killed in a multi-vehicle accident near M Sathyavara village in Bengaluru Rural district.
The accident occurred on the Hoskote-Dabaspete National Highway when a speeding Mahindra XUV 700 allegedly triggered a chain collision involving a motorcycle and a Canter truck.
The deceased students have been identified as Ashwin Nayar (17), Arhaan Sharif (17), Ayaan Ali (17), Bharat (18), and Ethan George (17). The sixth student victim’s identity was also confirmed, while the seventh deceased was Gagan, a private company employee who was riding a motorcycle at the time of the accident.
Police said the students, aged between 17 and 18 and studying in Classes 10 and 12, had reportedly left home around 3 am for a joyride without informing their families. While travelling from Kolar towards Devanahalli, the SUV allegedly rear-ended Gagan’s motorcycle.
Following the initial impact, the driver is said to have lost control of the vehicle, which then rammed into a Canter truck. The force of the collision was so intense that the truck and the motorcycle were flung across the median onto the opposite side of the highway. The severely damaged SUV reportedly skidded nearly 500 metres before coming to a halt.
Gagan, who was returning home after completing his 5 pm to 3 am work shift, was the sole breadwinner of his family. His mother is visually impaired, making the tragedy even more heart-rending.
Police have registered separate cases in connection with both accidents and are investigating the exact cause, including the possibility of overspeeding and reckless driving.
The twin tragedies have once again raised serious concerns over road safety and reckless driving on national highways surrounding Bengaluru.