Mangaluru: Three persons lost their lives and another sustained serious injuries after a car collided with a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus near Shiradi Ghat within the limits of Uppinangady police station on Friday.
According to police sources, the deceased have been identified as Chandrashekar (57) from Shishila, Janardhan Gowda (58) from Ujire, and Sridhar Gowda (61) from Marakada. All three were travelling in a car that was heading from Sakleshpur towards Mangaluru when the accident took place.
Police said the collision occurred when a KSRTC Rajahamsa bus travelling from Dharmasthala to Tirupati reportedly came into contact with the car along the Shiradi Ghat stretch. The impact of the crash was severe, resulting in the immediate death of three occupants of the car.
The Shiradi Ghat section of the highway is known for its sharp curves, steep gradients and heavy vehicular movement, particularly involving buses and goods vehicles travelling between the coastal region and the interior parts of Karnataka.
One person critically injured
Another occupant of the car, identified as Suresh (58) from Ujire, sustained serious injuries in the accident. He was initially provided first aid at the spot and later shifted to a hospital in Mangaluru for further treatment.
Medical authorities stated that he is currently undergoing treatment and his condition is being closely monitored. Emergency responders and local residents assisted in transporting the injured person to the hospital.
Police begin investigation
Police personnel from Uppinangady police station rushed to the accident spot soon after receiving information about the crash. The bodies of the deceased were recovered from the damaged vehicle and sent for post-mortem examination.
Officials also conducted a preliminary inspection at the accident site to determine the circumstances that led to the collision. Initial findings suggest that the crash occurred on the Shiradi Ghat stretch, which is often considered a challenging route for drivers due to narrow roads and continuous bends.
Traffic movement in the area was briefly disrupted following the accident as authorities cleared the damaged vehicles from the roadway. Police and highway authorities later restored normal vehicular movement.
Shiradi Ghat: Accident-prone stretch
The Shiradi Ghat road is an important highway corridor connecting Dakshina Kannada district with Hassan and Bengaluru. Thousands of vehicles pass through the route daily, including passenger buses, trucks and private vehicles.
However, the stretch has also witnessed several accidents over the years due to factors such as dense traffic, fog during certain seasons, sharp curves and steep inclines. Authorities frequently advise motorists to exercise caution while driving through the ghat section.
Road safety experts emphasise that drivers should maintain moderate speeds, avoid risky overtaking and remain alert while navigating the curves along the ghat roads.
Conclusion
Police have registered a case in connection with the accident and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the crash. Officials said statements from the KSRTC bus driver and other witnesses will be recorded as part of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the tragic incident has caused grief in the native villages of the deceased. Authorities have once again urged motorists travelling through Shiradi Ghat to drive cautiously and strictly follow road safety guidelines to prevent such accidents.