Mangaluru: Five people were killed and seven others sustained serious injuries after a 407 goods vehicle carrying labourers and decoration materials overturned on the service road near Kottalakotte in Uliyaragoli village along NH-66 under Kaup police limits on Sunday. The accident occurred when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to mount the divider, flip, and roll onto the service road.
Vehicle carrying workers overturns on highway
According to the preliminary investigation, the tempo was driven by Ranjith, who worked for a local decoration agency. The labourers had loaded decoration materials and were on their way to a venue for an event setup when tragedy struck.
At the time of the accident, three workers were seated in the vehicle’s cabin while nine others were travelling in the rear section. The impact of the overturn proved fatal, with most victims suffering severe head injuries.
Five workers died on the spot or shortly after the accident, while the seven injured were rushed to private hospitals in Udupi. Many of them are currently being treated in the intensive care units.
Officials visit the site, offer condolences
Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty visited the accident location and later met the injured labourers at the hospitals, assuring assistance to the affected families.
District minister Laxmi Hebbalkar expressed condolences on X, saying she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of five daily-wage workers.
She wrote that the tempo was transporting decorative materials from Kapu Majoor to Malpe when the driver lost control, adding, “May God give their families the strength to bear this loss. May the departed souls rest in peace, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Probe underway into cause of accident
Police sources said they are investigating whether overspeeding, fatigue or mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control. Officials are also verifying whether safety norms were followed while transporting workers in a goods vehicle.
The accident has renewed concerns regarding the unsafe practice of labourers travelling in goods carriers, a method often used due to cost constraints but considered highly risky due to lack of protection and seating.
Community mourns the victims
The deceased, all daily-wage labourers, were reportedly hired for temporary decoration work. Their sudden death has left their families and local communities in deep shock. Authorities are working to identify support measures for the bereaved families and ensure proper medical care for the survivors.