Three people died in a road accident as a KSRTC bus was hit head-on by a cement-laden canter vehicle near Loni Cross in Chadachan Taluk of Vijayapura district on Monday. The tragedy has raised concerns again over road safety and the number of deaths on state highways.
According to earlier reports, the accident happened when a KSRTC bus travelling from Chadachan to Badami collided with a canter truck carrying cement that was headed to Chadachan town. The damage was so heavy that both vehicles were destroyed, and multiple casualties were suffered in the accident.
The three were identified as KSRTC bus driver Hanamant Chalavadi, canter driver Ashok Poojari (25), and a young woman identified as Radha (22). They died from the force of the collision on the spot, said police officials and emergency workers.
Witnesses said that the accident took place in a matter of seconds, and neither driver was able to stop in time. The Canter vehicle, which was laden with cement bags, was seen to overturn after the impact and then crashed into a ditch. The heavy vehicle also sustained heavy damage as it travelled into the ditch. Meanwhile, the KSRTC bus went off the road and stopped on the roadside after the collision.
There were several passengers in the bus who received minor injuries. Residents and emergency services immediately responded, and residents helped evacuate the injured passengers from the bus. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Most of the passengers had minor injuries and were not seriously injured and were not in danger, hospital officials said.
The accident caused panic in the area. Traffic for commuters and residents in the area was temporarily disrupted as rescue operations and vehicle recovery efforts were ongoing. Police personnel worked to clear the road and restore normal traffic flow.
The Chadachan police department responded and then began investigating the situation that led to the fatal accident. The collision may have occurred because of loss of control, excessive speed, or misjudgment while driving, but the exact cause of the collision will be established only after the investigation.
They also started procedures to gather testimony from witnesses and evaluate the condition of both vehicles. Experts are expected to survey the accident site to get to the bottom of the tragedy.
Road accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles continue to be a major worry across Karnataka. Safety experts stress the need for speed limits on highways and rural roads, and to ensure vehicle fitness to avoid accidents.
The deaths of the three victims have left families and communities in mourning. Tributes poured in for the deceased, particularly for the KSRTC driver who was performing his duty at the time of the accident. Residents say road safety measures must be reinforced and enforcement enhanced to prevent future tragedies.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is ongoing. Details of the accident will emerge once officials have finished their investigation and have all the evidence.
