Hubballi: An eight-year-old girl was killed and 16 passengers were injured after a private bus travelling from Mumbai to Bengaluru veered off the road and plunged into a roadside field near Hubballi in the early hours of Thursday.

The accident occurred at around 3 am on October 15, shortly after the bus crossed Chabbi Cross in Hubballi taluk, Karnataka. According to police, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the road and enter a field.

The bus was carrying 26 passengers at the time of the accident. The driver was among those injured, and emergency personnel were called to the scene to rescue the passengers.

Bus Plunges Into Field Near Chabbi Cross

According to preliminary information, the bus was travelling towards Bengaluru from Mumbai when the accident occurred near Chabbi Cross.

The vehicle reportedly went off the road and plunged into a roadside field after the driver lost control. The impact left several passengers injured and caused the driver’s leg to become trapped inside the bus.

Police personnel and fire and emergency services staff rushed to the spot and carried out rescue operations. Emergency responders worked to free the trapped driver and assist the injured passengers.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated, with police examining the events leading up to the vehicle leaving the road.

Eight-Year-Old Girl Dies From Severe Injuries

The eight-year-old girl sustained a severe head injury in the accident and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, according to medical officials.

The remaining injured passengers were taken for treatment. Sixteen people were reported to be receiving medical attention, while some passengers with minor injuries were discharged after treatment.

The condition of the injured was being monitored by medical teams. The accident has raised concerns about passenger safety on long-distance private bus services, particularly during overnight journeys.

Police Examine Possible Cause of Crash

Hubballi police have begun investigating the accident to establish the circumstances that led to the bus leaving the road.

Hubballi Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya visited KIMS Hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers. Speaking to the media after the visit, she reportedly said the accident near Chabbi Bridge was suspected to have occurred due to overspeeding.

According to the preliminary account, the bus reportedly bounced while travelling at high speed before the driver lost control. Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The final findings will help establish the sequence of events and determine the factors that contributed to the crash.

Rescue Teams Assist Injured Passengers

Police personnel and fire and emergency services staff responded to the accident and helped rescue passengers from the damaged vehicle.

The driver, whose leg was reportedly trapped inside the bus following the impact, required assistance to be extricated. Other injured passengers were also moved for medical care.

With one child dead and 16 passengers injured, the incident highlights the potential consequences of losing control of a passenger vehicle on a highway.

The investigation is continuing, while the injured passengers remain the immediate focus of medical attention.