A tragic accident on National Highway 48 near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district, Karnataka, has claimed the lives of at least nine people. The incident occurred early Thursday morning when a speeding container truck collided head-on with a private luxury sleeper bus. The bus, en route from Bengaluru to Gokarna, was carrying 32 passengers.
According to the bus driver, Rafeeq, he was driving at approximately 60-70 kmph when a truck suddenly crossed the divider and approached his vehicle. Rafeeq stated from his hospital bed that he attempted to control the bus and steer it aside, but another bus was in the adjacent lane, making it impossible to avoid the collision. The impact of the collision caused the bus to immediately catch fire, trapping many passengers inside. East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda stated that the truck appeared to have rammed directly into the bus's diesel tank, causing a leak and subsequent fire.
The truck driver was among those killed in the accident. The bus driver and cleaner, Mohammad Sadiq, managed to escape, though Sadiq was thrown from the bus due to the impact. Sadiq recalls being asleep when the collision occurred and believes the truck hit the diesel tank.
Of the 32 passengers on board, eight died, and several others sustained burn injuries. Twelve of the injured are in Hiriyur, nine in Shira, and three in Tumkur hospitals. One person with critical burn injuries has been transferred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest the truck driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to cross the central divider and hit the bus. Police are investigating the incident, with Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru monitoring the investigation. A case has been registered at the Hiriyur Rural Police Station.
The accident also involved a school bus carrying 45 children that was traveling behind the sleeper bus. Fortunately, the school bus driver managed to avoid the burning vehicle, and all the children escaped unhurt. The school bus driver's statement has been recorded as an eyewitness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also expressed grief and assured a thorough investigation into the accident. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that initial reports indicate over-speeding as the primary cause of the crash.
The accident caused significant traffic disruption on National Highway 48 for several hours. Rescue teams worked to clear the wreckage and carry out emergency operations. DNA experts have arrived from Bengaluru to assist in identifying the deceased.
