And a major road accident took place on National Highway 169 near Mala Ghat, on the Chikkamagaluru-Udupi border, after a suspected oil spill made the road dangerously slippery. Many car accidents took place, with more than eight cars involved, and several passengers were injured. Traffic jams in the area were very heavy.
The accident took place on the Chikkamagaluru-Udupi highway near the border of Sringeri taluk, which is an area of winding roads and heavy traffic, usually during the monsoon season.
Suspected Oil Spill Causes Chain Collision
The oil could have leaked from a lorry, which was thought to have leaked from a passing lorry according to initial reports, spreading throughout a wide stretch of the highway. The slippery surface caused drivers to lose control of their vehicles, and then many cars lost control.
As cars skidded uncontrollably, they collided with one another and set off a chain reaction crash. A few cars turned over after the drivers couldn’t apply their brakes properly on the oil-covered road, and some of them overturned.
More than eight vehicles were heavily damaged in the accident.
Several Passengers Injured
One in a dozen people was injured in the multi-car collision. Residents, drivers, and emergency workers rushed to the scene to help.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The number of injured people has not yet been disclosed, nor are details of their injuries known.
Heavy Rain Worsens Situation
The continuous rainfall in the region complicated rescue and traffic management efforts. The rain and oil spill made the highway extremely hazardous, so motorists couldn’t navigate the affected stretch of the highway safely.
Several cars were stranded or overturned on the road, suggesting the extent of the tragedy.
Kilometres-Long Traffic Jam
The accident caused a massive traffic jam on the Chikkamagaluru-Udupi route for several kilometres.
Hundreds of commuters and transport vehicles have been stranded as the damaged vehicles were cleared up, and traffic resumed to the standard traffic flow.
The oil spill was also cleaned, and the road was safe before traffic could resume, officials said.
Investigation Underway
The oil leaked from a big vehicle traveling on the highway, but the exact source is unknown. Police are now investigating and trying to find the vehicle that caused the spill and whether any negligence took place.
The officials are also trying to see if other safety measures, such as warning signs and road cleaning, could have prevented the chain collision.
Safety Advisory for Motorists
With this incident, they have advised motorists traveling at the Mala Ghat section of NH-169 to be especially careful during the ongoing monsoon season.
Drivers are urged to:
- Reduce speed on wet and hilly roads.
- Keep the vehicle safely away from other vehicles.
- Safety and slippery roads must be kept in mind.
- Follow road signs and directions from traffic police and highway authorities.
If it’s true that oil spills can happen on highways, a gap in the systems that are in place to prevent them can lead to tragedy.
