In a tragic incident, at least 13 people lost their lives while four more suffered critical injuries after the minibus they were traveling in allegedly collided with a lorry stationed near National Highway 48 in Byadagi in Karnataka's Haveri district.
The officials said the incident, which occurred around 3.45 a.m. on Friday, claimed thirteen lives of the total of seventeen people present in the minibus at the time of the accident.
The officials informed that while eleven people died on the spot, two others were declared dead at a hospital. Significantly, they mentioned that the list of deceased also includes two minors aged six and four, respectively.
Further, the officials also informed that of the total four injured, two remain in critical condition and are admitted to the ICU.
Police suspects driver dozed off, resulting in an accident
Meanwhile, as the investigation is currently underway to ascertain the original cause behind the accident, a senior police official mentioned that they suspect the driver dozing behind the wheel became the reason for the tragic mishap.
Anshu Kumar Srivastava, Superintendent of Police (Haveri), speaking to the media, said, "The victims were coming from Chincholi Mayamma Devasthana and heading to their native Yemehatti village in Shivamogga district. The truck was standing on the side of the highway. The van hit the truck from behind.
"We suspected that the driver dozed off resulting in the accident," the police official added.
Further, the senior official also mentioned that, due to the severity of the impact of the collision, the bodies were stuck in the mangled remains of the van, and the fire brigade and police personnel had a difficult time extricating them.
Deceased hails from Karnataka's Shivmogga district
Significantly, the deceased had been identified as Nagesh, Vishalakshi, Adarsh, Arpita, Parashuram, Bhagya, Punya, Manasa, Roopa, Subhadra Bai, Manjula Bai and Manjula all hailing from Karnataka's Shivmogga district.
Further, the police also also informed that of the list of deceased while Nagesh (50), Vishalakshi (40), Adarsh (23), and Arpita (18) all hail from the same family, an identity of one of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.
According to a family source, "Nagesh (believed to be behind wheels) had purchased a new van (tempo traveller) and had decided to pay his obeisance with his parents and relatives to Tulja Bhavani in Maharashtra, Renuka Yallamma in Savadatti and Mariyamma in Chincholi in Belagavi," family sources said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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