HUBBALLI: Twelve people, including six women and a child, died and several others were injured due to head on collision between a Maruti Omni van and a speeding KSRTC bus in Harlapur village of Gadag district on Sunday evening. All the deceased were travelling in the van.
They were residents of Rajiv Gandhi Layout in Gadag district and were returning from Mandalageri village of Yalaburga taluk in Koppal district after attending a wedding ceremony. The death toll may increase as several injured are in a critical condition.
Police said the accident happened due to the negligence of the bus driver, while he was trying to overtake a lorry. Both bus driver and conductor fled from the spot soon after the mishap. The speeding bus was heading towards Hospet from Hubballi. The injured are undergoing treatment at district hospital in Gadag.
The Omni van was so badly damaged that the police personnel had to struggle to retrieve the bodies. Deputy Commissioner N.S. Prasannakumar and Superintendent of Police K.T. Balakrishna have visited the accident spot.
The deceased have been identified as Abhishek, Priya, Akash, Rathna, Shekavva, Basamma, Shantavva, Karan, Shankargouda , Amit and two others.
