A tragic road accident on National Highway-66 near Byndoor in Udupi district on Wednesday claimed three lives and left several others injured. The collision involved a private bus, a petroleum tanker, and a truck. According to police, the incident occurred around 1:30 PM when the bus, traveling from Byndoor towards Kundapur, was being driven at high speed in a rash and negligent manner. The driver allegedly moved to the extreme left side of the road and crashed into the front right side of a stationary petroleum tanker parked on the mud shoulder.
Chain of Collisions
After the initial impact, the driver lost control of the bus, which then rammed into the rear of a stationary truck parked ahead on the same side. The front portion of the bus was completely mangled in the collision, trapping several passengers inside. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals by ambulance.
Victims and Injured
Three persons sustained severe bleeding injuries and were unconscious at the scene. They were rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. The deceased have been identified as Raghu alias Umesh (spare driver), Ranganath (cleaner), and Hemanth (cook). Many of the injured have been admitted as inpatients at Kundapur Adarsha Hospital, Manipal Hospital, Kundapur Government Hospital, and Chinmayi Hospital. Police confirmed that three students are undergoing surgeries but are out of danger.
Bus Carrying College Students
The bus was carrying final-year BCom students from Rambahapuri College under Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga district. They were on an educational tour since April 26, having visited places including Dandeli and Honnavar, and were heading towards Trasi-Maravanthe Beach when the accident occurred. Approximately 47 people were on board, including teachers, support staff, an additional driver, and a cleaner.
Legal Action
Police stated that the accident was caused by the rash and negligent driving of the bus driver, Manjunath. A case has been registered against him at Gangolli police station under Sections 281, 125(a), and 106 of the BNS. Senior police officials, including Udupi SP Hariram Shankar, Dy SP (Kundapur sub-division) H.D. Kulkarni, circle inspector Shivakumar B, and Gangolli police station officers PSI Pawan Nayak and PSI Sudarshan B.N., visited the accident site to oversee the investigation.
