Nine Killed as Truck Collides With Bus in Karnataka Most Victims Burnt to Death
Luxury sleeper bus travelling to Gokarna catches fire after collision several passengers escape by jumping out, police say.
Chitradurga (Karnataka), Dec 25: At least nine people were killed after a speeding truck crossed the road divider and rammed into a luxury sleeper bus in Chitradurga district early Thursday, triggering a massive fire, police said.
The bus, carrying 32 passengers and travelling to Gokarna, was engulfed in flames following the impact of the collision. Most of the deceased were burnt alive inside the vehicle, East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda told reporters.
According to police, the accident occurred when the truck jumped the divider and collided head-on with the oncoming bus. The driver and cleaner of the bus managed to escape, while the truck driver and his cleaner were among those killed.
Several passengers escaped by jumping out of the bus, Gowda said. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Shira in Tumakuru district. At least two passengers sustained grievous injuries, police added.
A second bus travelling from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli and carrying 45 schoolchildren narrowly avoided the accident. “Thankfully, the driver steered the bus to the other side in time and no one was hurt,” Gowda said.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
