A horrific road accident near Hiriyur in Karnataka's Chitradurga district on Thursday resulted in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of at least 20 people. The tragedy occurred when a speeding container truck collided with a private luxury sleeper bus, causing the bus to erupt in flames.
Driver's Harrowing Account of the Collision
The bus driver, identified as Rafiq, who is currently undergoing treatment, described the terrifying moments before the impact. He stated he was maintaining a speed of 60-70 km/hr when he noticed the overspeeding truck approaching from the opposite direction. The truck reportedly came from the other side of the road divider.
"I tried to control the bus on seeing the vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. My bus even touched another vehicle moving next to us. But, couldn't (control)," Rafiq told PTI. He recounted that the truck hit the bus directly, after which he lost consciousness and does not recall how he was rescued.
Cleaner Thrown Out, Diesel Tank Pierced
Mohammed Sadiq, the bus cleaner who survived with minor injuries, provided crucial details about the crash's mechanics. He was asleep in the front of the bus when the accident happened. Sadiq revealed that the speeding truck directly rammed into the bus's diesel tank, which likely led to the immediate and intense fire.
"Due to the impact of the accident, I was thrown out, breaking the glass of the bus," Sadiq said, explaining how he survived the inferno that engulfed the vehicle.
Karnataka Leadership Reacts with Grief and Calls for Probe
The tragic accident, involving a bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna, prompted swift reactions from the state's top officials. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed severe shock and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the news heartbreaking, noting that the victims were on their way home for Christmas leave. He called for a thorough investigation to uncover the cause of the accident and prayed for peace for the departed souls. Both leaders shared in the grief of the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The incident near Hiriyur has once again highlighted the grave dangers of overspeeding and road safety lapses on Indian highways, culminating in one of the most fatal accidents in the region recently.
