Tragic Road Accidents on NH-66 Claim Multiple Lives in Udupi District
A devastating road accident on National Highway-66 near Mabukala Bridge in Airody village, Brahmavara taluk, Udupi, resulted in the death of a 54-year-old woman and left her teenage daughter with serious injuries on Saturday. The incident occurred around 1:45 PM when a lorry, allegedly driven at high speed in a rash and negligent manner, collided with the victims' scooter.
Details of the Fatal Collision
According to a police complaint filed by Shobha of Handadi village, the deceased, identified as Nirmala, was traveling with her 16-year-old daughter Nireeksha on the Udupi-Kundapur stretch towards Kota. Shobha was riding a scooter in the opposite direction and witnessed the tragic event.
The lorry, driven by Venkateshwaralu, struck Nirmala's scooter with such force that the vehicle was hurled into the bridge guardrail, throwing both riders onto the road. Nirmala suffered severe head injuries in the impact, while Nireeksha sustained grievous injuries to her back, face, hand, and shoulder.
Immediate Aftermath and Police Action
Both victims were rushed to Brahmavar Government Hospital for emergency medical attention. Tragically, doctors declared Nirmala dead upon arrival. Her daughter Nireeksha was admitted to the hospital for treatment of her multiple injuries.
The Kota police have registered a case under sections 281, 125(b), and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the lorry driver. These sections typically pertain to rash driving, negligence, and causing death by negligence, highlighting the serious nature of the alleged offenses.
Second Fatal Accident on NH-66
In a separate but equally tragic incident on the same highway, a woman and a child lost their lives when a speeding car crashed into a parked container truck on NH-66 in Byndoor on Saturday evening. The accident occurred when the car driver, identified as Raghu, was traveling from Kundapur towards Byndoor.
Police reports indicate that Raghu was allegedly driving negligently at high speed when he veered to the extreme left side of the road and struck the rear-right side of a container truck that was parked in front of a service shop.
Casualties and Injuries in Byndoor Crash
The deceased in this second accident have been identified as Mamata, 40, and Druti, 12, both of whom were traveling in the car. They died on the spot from the impact of the collision.
Other occupants of the vehicle—Kiran, Jahnavi, Kavya, and Charvi—along with the driver Raghu, sustained various injuries in the crash. All injured persons received medical attention following the incident.
The Byndoor police have registered a case under sections 281, 125(a), 125(b), and 106 of the BNS against the car driver. These charges reflect similar allegations of rash and negligent driving resulting in fatalities.
Road Safety Concerns on NH-66
These back-to-back fatal accidents on NH-66 have raised serious concerns about road safety in the Udupi district region. National Highway-66, which runs along India's western coast, is a major transportation corridor that sees significant traffic volume, including heavy commercial vehicles.
The incidents highlight the dangers of speeding and negligent driving, particularly on busy highway stretches. Both accidents involved vehicles traveling at high speeds, with devastating consequences for the victims and their families.
Local authorities are likely to face increased pressure to enhance road safety measures along this critical transportation route, including better enforcement of speed limits, improved signage, and enhanced driver awareness programs.
The tragic loss of life in these separate incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible driving practices and the need for continued vigilance on India's roadways.
