Five, including 4 Inter students, killed as bus overturns on AP border

ANANTAPUR: Four students were among five persons killed, and more than 30 persons, mostly students, suffered serious injuries when a overcrowded private bus plying between YN Hoskote and Tumakuru in Karnataka via Madakasira of Anantapur district overturned at Palvali tank, 20 km from the AP border, on Saturday.

Among the seriously injured were five passengers from AP.

The bus reportedly was carrying more than 80 passengers including some perched on the rooftop. The accident occurred when the driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve and the bus overturned, trapping many passengers underneath it. They were rescued and rushed to hospitals, while the more seriously injured passengers were taken to Bengaluru.

Many students were travelling in the private bus to college at Pavagada due to the poor transport facilities. Four Intermediate students — Amulya, 16, Kalyan, 18, Ajith, 17, and Sahnawaj, 18, — from villages near YN Hoskote died in the mishap which also claimed the life of a mechanic from Bestarapalli in Kundurpi mandal.

Karnataka transport minister B. Sreeramulu who rushed the spot announced
Rs 6 lakh ex gratia for the families of the victims, including Rs 1 lakh from his `funds, as also financial assistance for those injured.

A probe was ordered over lapses of the transport department in allowing overcrowding in buses.