Bantwal: A 55-year-old woman was killed and three others were seriously injured after an Alto car collided with a tempo pickup near the Halera flyover in Bantwal early Monday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Nafeesa, 55, a resident of Madikeri.
According to information available, five people, including the driver, were travelling in the Alto when the accident occurred. Four women and the driver were in the car.
The group was reportedly returning home after attending an Umrah class when the accident took place near the Halera flyover.
Collision near Halera flyover
The Alto car collided with a tempo pickup near the flyover in the early hours of Monday.
The impact resulted in the death of Nafeesa, while three other occupants of the car sustained serious injuries.
The injured were shifted to a private hospital in Mangaluru for treatment. The condition of the injured and further details regarding the accident were not immediately available.
The incident has raised renewed concerns among local residents over the road layout and visibility at the Halera service road.
Service road causes confusion
Local residents have alleged that the service road at Halera, which provides access to the Puttur-Madikeri-Mysuru road, is difficult for motorists to identify.
According to residents, people travelling through the area from outside frequently face confusion while negotiating the service road, particularly when attempting to enter the route towards Madikeri and Mysuru.
They said the narrow entry road is not clearly visible to motorists approaching the area.
The absence of adequate signboards has reportedly added to the difficulty, with motorists unfamiliar with the area potentially struggling to identify the correct entry point.
Residents have alleged that the road configuration and lack of clear signage have contributed to repeated accidents and called attention to the need for measures to improve visibility and guide motorists.
Residents seek clearer road signage
The Halera service road serves as an important access point for vehicles heading towards the Puttur-Madikeri-Mysuru road.
Residents said clearer signboards and improved visibility at the entry could help motorists identify the route more easily.
They have also raised concerns about the narrow approach road and the possibility of vehicles entering or negotiating the stretch without sufficient awareness of the road layout.
The latest accident has brought these concerns into focus once again.
Meanwhile, the seriously injured persons continue to receive treatment at a private hospital in Mangaluru.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the collision and any official action are awaited.