Five individuals, including the driver, sustained injuries when a private bus crashed into a non-operational toll plaza on the outskirts of Bengaluru in the early hours of Friday. The incident occurred on Ballari Road in Devanahalli as the bus was entering the city from Hyderabad.
Details of the Early Morning Collision
The vehicle involved was a bus belonging to Tranz India Travels, bearing the registration number MP-10-ZH-9922. It was on its route from Hyderabad to Mysuru when the accident took place around 5 am. According to police, the bus forcefully struck a defunct toll booth structure.
The injured have been identified as driver Irfan Khader Khan, and passengers Pradeep Bachhe Gowda, S Akanksha, Y Harshita, and Narasimha Rao. All were provided medical attention following the collision.
Police Investigation and Rescue Operation
Law enforcement officials who responded to the scene stated that the bus had to be pulled back from the toll booth using a crane. They noted a stroke of fortune in the timing of the crash. "Fortunately, there were no vehicles nearby when the accident occurred around 5am," a police officer said, highlighting how the situation could have been more severe.
The preliminary assessment from the police points towards driver error. The officer added that it appears the driver lost control due to rash and negligent driving. A formal statement from the driver, Irfan Khader Khan, will be recorded once he recovers sufficiently from his injuries.
Aftermath and Road Safety Concerns
The incident on Ballari Road, a major arterial route into Bengaluru, raises questions about road safety and the management of old infrastructure. The defunct toll booth, no longer in use, became a hazardous obstacle.
Authorities are focusing on the investigation while the injured continue to receive treatment. The crash serves as a reminder for drivers, especially those operating long-distance night services, to exercise utmost caution to prevent such unfortunate events.
