A serious accident unfolded on the national highway near Kaup when a private express bus plying between Udupi and Mangaluru toppled over after the driver allegedly lost control.

According to eyewitnesses, the mishap occurred during a reckless high-speed race with a KSRTC bus. In the bid to outpace the government vehicle, the private bus veered off balance and overturned, landing on its side.

The crash left several passengers injured, though the extent of injuries is yet to be officially confirmed. Quick-thinking locals rushed to the scene and used ladders to pull out stranded passengers through the bus windows, likely preventing further harm.

Kaup police arrived at the site shortly after the incident and carried out an initial inquiry into the cause of the accident. Authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses.