Bengaluru Road Accidents: 6 Killed, 12 Injured in Two Separate Tragic Crashes
In a devastating series of events, six individuals lost their lives and twelve others sustained injuries in two separate road accidents on the outskirts of Bengaluru late Saturday night. The tragic incidents, which occurred within a short timeframe, have highlighted critical issues of road safety and driver negligence in the region.
Tempo Traveller Collision Claims Three Pilgrims' Lives
The first and more severe accident took place near the Rani Circle flyover in Devanahalli at approximately 11:50 PM on Saturday. A Tempo Traveller (TT) carrying a group of fourteen pilgrims from the Stree Shakthi Sangha of Tiptur, Tumakuru district, violently rear-ended a stationary truck, resulting in catastrophic damage to the vehicle.
The group, consisting of women devotees, was en route to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to catch an early morning flight for a fifteen-day pilgrimage to Varanasi and other sacred sites. They had departed from Tiptur around 9:00 PM, traveling via Dabaspet on National Highway 648.
According to preliminary investigations, the van's driver, 21-year-old Raviteja from Tiptur, was following Google Maps directions to KIA. He reportedly missed a crucial turn and inadvertently drove onto the Rani Circle flyover heading towards Hoskote. While descending the ramp, a Tamil Nadu-registered truck moving ahead suddenly veered to the right without any prior warning.
Despite Raviteja's frantic attempts to brake, he lost control of the vehicle. The van collided with the rear right side of the truck, leaving it completely mangled and trapping the occupants inside.
Victims and Aftermath of the Devanahalli Crash
The collision proved fatal for three women pilgrims, who were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The deceased have been identified as 65-year-old Jayamma, 60-year-old Yashodamma, and 40-year-old Ganga. Another passenger, 60-year-old Kempamma, is currently battling for her life in critical condition.
Driver Raviteja and eleven other passengers sustained injuries but are reported to be out of danger and undergoing medical treatment. In a disturbing turn of events, the truck driver initially stopped at the scene but later allegedly fled without providing any assistance to the injured victims, abandoning his vehicle. He was subsequently detained by authorities on Sunday afternoon.
Investigators have noted potential contributory negligence on the part of the TT driver as well. Their preliminary assessment suggests that the van was traveling on the extreme right side of the road. When the driver spotted a U-turn, he swerved left, lost balance, and struck the truck, which was in the middle lane.
A formal case has been registered against the truck driver under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence at the Devanahalli traffic police station.
Second Accident on Old Madras Road Claims Three More Lives
In a separate but equally tragic incident, three men lost their lives when their mini goods vehicle crashed into a stationary canter truck on the upper ramp of the Medahalli bridge on Old Madras Road. This accident occurred around 11:30 PM, just minutes before the Devanahalli crash.
The victims, identified as 32-year-old driver Suresh, 35-year-old Manikanta, and 35-year-old Srinivas, all residents of Whitefield and nearby areas, were transporting a load of potatoes from Kolar to Bengaluru. All three succumbed to their injuries while being transported to the hospital. The front portion of their Tata Intra goods vehicle was completely crushed in the impact.
Police investigations revealed that the canter truck had broken down due to a flat tyre. However, its driver, Amjad Pasha, had parked the vehicle without activating the tail lights or placing any reflective warnings, barricades, or hazard indicators. This rendered the large truck virtually invisible to oncoming traffic during the dark night.
Driver Suresh, approaching from behind, failed to notice the stationary vehicle in time and crashed into it at speed. Amjad Pasha has been formally booked by the KR Pura traffic police for his negligence in failing to secure the broken-down vehicle properly, directly contributing to the fatal collision.
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
These back-to-back accidents have cast a stark spotlight on the persistent road safety challenges in and around Bengaluru. The loss of six lives in a single night underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver education, and better road infrastructure.
The incidents also raise questions about the adequacy of emergency response protocols and the responsibility of drivers in ensuring their vehicles are visible and secure when stationary, especially on high-speed corridors and flyovers.
As the families of the victims mourn their untimely loss, authorities are urged to conduct thorough investigations and implement corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community is left grappling with the sobering reality of how quickly routine journeys can turn fatal due to a combination of human error, negligence, and inadequate safety precautions.
