Bengaluru, Feb 13 : Seven people lost their lives in a devastating multi vehicle crash on Friday morning after a sport utility vehicle collided with a motorcycle and a canter truck on the Hoskote-Dabaspete National Highway in Bengaluru Rural district.
Police confirmed that six passengers travelling in the SUV and the motorcyclist died instantly due to the intensity of the impact. The victims from the car were reportedly residents of Kothanur in Bengaluru.
Preliminary findings indicate that the SUV was heading from Kolar towards Devanahalli when it rammed into a motorcycle moving ahead. The driver allegedly lost control soon after the first impact, causing the vehicle to slam into a canter truck and set off a deadly chain reaction.
The collision left the SUV completely wrecked. Authorities said the truck and the motorcycle were flung across the median onto the opposite carriageway, while the mangled SUV came to a halt nearly 500 metres from the primary crash site — underscoring the sheer force involved.
Inspector General of Police (Central) Labhu Ram, who inspected the scene, said the bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital and identification of the victims is in progress. He added that investigators are examining whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol but cautioned that no conclusion has been reached yet.
Early assessments suggest overspeeding may have played a critical role, though officials stressed that a comprehensive investigation is underway. Teams from the Sulibele police station responded promptly, and post-mortem examinations are being conducted at a government hospital in Hoskote. Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakant also visited the site.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about safety on the heavily used corridor linking Kolar and Devanahalli. Residents criticised the stretch between Sadappanahalli and Kamalipura Bridge, alleging structural shortcomings and insufficient scientific planning during construction. Some locals claimed that design issues had been flagged earlier but were not adequately addressed.
Authorities are continuing their probe as further details emerge.