9-Year-Old Girl Killed, Father Seriously Injured in Udupi Highway Collision
A devastating road accident near Uliyargoli village in Udupi district resulted in the tragic death of a 9-year-old girl and left her father with severe injuries on Tuesday. The incident occurred on National Highway-66, where a private bus allegedly driven in a rash and negligent manner collided with their scooter.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The deceased has been identified as Swathi Nithyananda Shetty, a young child who was riding as a pillion passenger on her father's scooter. Her father, Nithyananda Kutty Shetty, was operating the white scooter, traveling from Mangaluru towards Udupi when the catastrophe unfolded.
According to police reports, the accident transpired when a private bus, driven by Ranjith Kumar, entered the highway from a service road. The bus allegedly failed to provide any signal and was operating in a reckless manner, leading to a direct collision with the scooter.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
The impact of the crash was so severe that the scooter became trapped under the bus, forcefully ejecting both the rider and the child onto the road surface. Following the initial collision, the bus subsequently struck the highway divider before coming to a complete stop.
Local residents quickly mobilized to assist the victims, helping to transport them for urgent medical treatment. Both individuals sustained critical head injuries in the accident, with the young girl losing consciousness immediately after the crash.
Medical Response and Fatal Outcome
In a desperate attempt to save her life, Swathi was rushed to a nearby hospital in an autorickshaw. Despite these efforts, medical professionals at the facility declared her brought dead upon arrival, unable to revive the young victim.
Her father, Nithyananda Shetty, was transported by ambulance to a separate medical facility where he continues to receive treatment for his serious injuries. The community has been left in shock by this heartbreaking incident that has torn a family apart.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Law enforcement authorities have taken swift action in response to this tragic event. The Kaup police station has registered a formal case against the bus driver under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The charges include Sections 281, 125(b), and 106(1), which pertain to rash and negligent driving, endangering human life, and causing death by negligence. This legal proceeding underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this fatal collision on one of Karnataka's major highways.
