A road accident claimed one life and left 21 passengers injured after a private luxury bus overturned on National Highway 52 near Ankola in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district in the early hours of Saturday. The bus, belonging to Seabird Travels, was on a journey from Ballari to Goa when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and blocked the road.
The accident happened near Kanchinabagilu (Adlur) in Ankola taluk. Initial reports indicate that the luxury bus had 36 passengers. One passenger died on the spot due to the severity of the impact and 21 others were injured in various ways. Nine of the injured passengers are still in critical condition.
Authorities suspect that driver fatigue may have caused the accident, police say. Initial investigation indicates that driver fatigue could have contributed, and the driver may have fallen asleep while driving and lost control of the vehicle. The bus veered off balance and overturned on the highway, creating a dangerous situation for other road users, the police said.
The overturned bus closed most of National Highway 52 and heavy traffic on both sides of the road was blocked, with hundreds of vehicles stranded for many hours as emergency workers scrambled to save passengers and clear the road. Lines of trucks, buses, and private vehicles lined up on both sides of the highway after the accident.
Having heard of the incident, police personnel from Ankola Police Station rushed to the scene along with emergency rescue teams. There were many trapped passengers in the overturned vehicle during the rescue mission. Police and rescue workers broke the bus windows to get passengers out safely.
The injured passengers were immediately shifted to the Government Hospital in Ankola for medical treatment. First aid was provided to the injured passengers and their condition was assessed. Because of their serious injuries, nine passengers who sustained severe head and chest trauma were taken to KRIHMS District Hospital in Karwar for advanced medical treatment.
Local residents and motorists also assisted rescue teams in helping passengers escape from the damaged vehicle. Their timely assistance contributed significantly to the swift evacuation of the injured and the prevention of further casualties.
After rescue work was done, authorities used a heavy-duty crane to remove the overturned bus from the middle of the highway. The damaged vehicle was lifted and moved to the roadside so officials could gradually restore traffic movement. By late in the day, vehicle movement on both sides of the highway was back to normal.
The accident has once again put driver fatigue and road safety on long-distance routes in the spotlight as experts continue to warn about the dangers of driving without adequate rest, especially during overnight journeys when alertness levels can decrease significantly.
Police have registered a case at Ankola Police Station and are investigating the cause of the accident. Driver fatigue, vehicle condition, speed, and road conditions are among the factors investigators are looking into.
The focus remains on medical treatment for the injured passengers and ensuring accountability for the circumstances that led to the tragic crash. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance during long-distance travel.
