Beltangady: A lorry transporting sheep manure overturned near the eighth curve of Charmadi Ghat in the early hours of Thursday, October 8. The driver and cleaner escaped without injuries, averting a potentially serious accident on the winding ghat road.
The vehicle was transporting sheep manure from Kottigehara towards Ujire when it reportedly veered off the road and overturned. The incident caused damage to the lorry, but no injuries were reported.
As the accident occurred during the early morning hours, when traffic was relatively light, a major mishap was avoided. The overturned vehicle also did not cause significant disruption to the movement of other vehicles along the main road, according to the report.
Lorry overturns near eighth curve
The accident took place near the eighth curve of Charmadi Ghat, a mountainous road section connecting parts of Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts.
According to the report, the lorry was travelling from Kottigehara towards Ujire with a load of sheep manure when the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned.
The circumstances that caused the lorry to veer off the road were not specified in the report. No further details were provided about the speed of the vehicle, the road conditions or whether mechanical problems contributed to the incident.
The driver and cleaner managed to escape without injuries. However, the lorry sustained damage in the accident.
Light traffic helps avert major mishap
The timing of the accident appears to have helped prevent a more serious incident. With relatively few vehicles on the road during the early morning hours, the overturned lorry did not result in a reported collision with other road users.
The incident could have had more serious consequences had other vehicles been passing the spot at the time. The report stated that traffic movement on the main road was not significantly affected.
Charmadi Ghat is an important route for motorists travelling between the coastal region and the Malnad areas. The road’s curves and steep sections require drivers to exercise caution, particularly when transporting heavy loads.
Although the report did not identify the precise cause of the accident, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of careful driving on winding ghat roads.
No injuries reported
Despite the lorry overturning, both the driver and cleaner escaped unharmed. No other injuries were reported in the account of the incident.
The vehicle was damaged, but the accident did not lead to a major traffic disruption. The report did not provide further information about recovery operations or the removal of the lorry from the spot.
The incident highlights how accidents involving heavy vehicles can pose risks not only to those travelling in them but also to other road users. Low traffic volumes during this particular incident helped limit the immediate consequences.
Caution urged on ghat roads
Charmadi Ghat is used by vehicles travelling between Dakshina Kannada and the interior districts of Karnataka. Drivers negotiating such routes need to account for sharp curves, changes in gradient and the handling of loaded vehicles.
Heavy vehicles carrying cargo require particular care when navigating winding roads. Maintaining a suitable speed and ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy are important precautions for reducing accident risks.
While the exact cause of this incident remains unclear from the available report, the safe escape of the driver and cleaner meant that the accident did not result in reported casualties.
The lorry overturning near the eighth curve was a close call, with the relatively light traffic helping avert a potentially more serious mishap.