What Happened in the Highway Crash That Killed Six in Karnataka?

Vijayapura (Karnataka), May 21 (NationPress) A devastating traffic incident involving an SUV, a bus, and a truck led to the tragic loss of six lives in the Vijayapura district of Karnataka on Wednesday.

As per local authorities, five casualties occurred immediately at the scene, while one individual succumbed to injuries at a medical facility. The victims have been named as Basavaraja Rathod, the bus driver; T. Bhaskar, a bank manager; and his family members Pavithra, Abhiram, and Jotsna; along with Vikas Mani, the driver of the SUV, from Horthi village.

The collision took place near Managooli town, adjacent to Basavana Bagewadi along National Highway 50.

Bhaskar's family, originating from Telangana, was returning after a visit to tourist attractions in southern and coastal Karnataka. The SUV was traveling towards Vijayapura when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to breach the highway divider and crash into an oncoming private bus.

Following the impact, the bus driver lost control and crashed into a stationary container truck located on the roadside. The bus driver sustained significant injuries and later passed away in the hospital.

Fortunately, none of the bus passengers were harmed. A young boy, aged 10, who was in the SUV managed to escape with minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

The deceased Bhaskar served as a manager at Canara Bank in Horthi village in Vijayapura. The private bus involved was en route from Mumbai to Ballari. The passengers were subsequently transferred to another vehicle to continue their journey.

High-ranking officials, including Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, inspected the scene. The Managooli police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Previously, on May 12, two separate tragic road accidents resulted in five fatalities in Chitradurga district and Hosakote town near Bengaluru, Karnataka.

In one incident, three individuals, including a woman, died in a head-on collision between an Innova car and a truck near the Kanive Anjaneya temple on the national highway in the morning in Chitradurga. The car was left mangled beyond recognition due to the force of the crash.

In another early morning incident, two individuals lost their lives and another sustained serious injuries after a tempo collided with a motorcycle at Chikkahullur village in Hoskote taluk, Bengaluru Rural district.

Authorities indicated that an overspeeding tempo struck the motorcycle, leading to this unfortunate event.

Initial investigations indicate that overspeeding and reckless driving by the tempo operator were contributing factors to the accident. Further inquiries are ongoing.

Earlier, on May 8, two separate tragic road mishaps occurred in Karnataka, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including three minors, while another person remains critically injured in Haveri and Bagalkot districts, according to official reports.