Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore [SP]
Honnavar, Oct 23: In a ghastly accident that occured on the evening of Wednesday October 22 at the Anantwadi Yellamakki bend on Honnavar-Bhatkal border, three persons died while four others including Bhatkal MLA J D Naik sustained grievous injuries.
MLA Naik and others were moving towards Bhatkal in a Bolero vehicle, when a private bus going to Mumbai from Mangalore rammed into their vehicle. The Bolero was badly mangled due to the impact of the accident, and was thrown to the side of the road where it stood upside down. The bus turned to the other side of the road before coming to a halt.
Secretary to the legislator Radhakrishna Pillai(30), well known social worker from Bhatkal T L Naik(35) and Bolero driver Harish Somaiah Naik(30) died on the spot. Their bodies have been kept at the mortuary of Manki government hospital.
The MLA sustained severe injuries to his head and hands. Bhatkal youth congress president Shailendra Gowda's face has been badly hit and his body bore several wounds. Belake gram panchayat president Nagesh Naik too sustained head injuries. Mundalli Krishnappa Naik, another passenger of the ill-fated Bolero too got head injuries. An electric pole was uprooted in the accident and the surrounding areas plunged into darkness as a result.
After Dr Chandrakant from Murdeshwar RNS Hospital provided first aid to the injured, they were shifted Manipal hospital. Bus driver Udaykumar is being treated at Murdeshwaqr hospital. Bus passengers escaped unhurt but for some minor cuts and bruises.
Bhatkal deputy superintendent of police Dr Vedamurthy and police officials from Manki, Honnavar and Murdeshwar rushed to the spot immediately thereafter and helped in rescue operations.
Sources have said, that the MLA, who was admitted to Manipal hospital on the night of Wednesday, is out of danger. The doctors have applied stitches to his head wounds and scanning was conducted. He does not appear to be in immediate danger, hospital sources revealed. A clear picture will emerge after keeping a close vigil on his health for a day. Nagesh, one of the injured, is being given artificial respiration while the other two, shailendra and Bhaskar are out of danger.
Radhakrishnan Pillai, who worked as the Shirastedar in the office of the Bhatkal Tahsildar, opted to become the MLA's personal secretary on his own a few months ago. He was a simple man, and is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. TL Naik was working as contractor in Bhatkal. He has left behind wife, two sons and parents.