Mysuru: Thirteen tourists and the driver of a safari vehicle were injured after the vehicle reportedly hit a tree following suspected brake failure at the Dammanakatte safari point in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in H D Kote taluk of Mysuru district.
The incident occurred during the 3 pm safari slot. The injured tourists were reportedly from Bengaluru and Mysuru.
According to H D Kote taluk health officer T Ravi Kumar, the injured were initially taken to the H D Kote taluk hospital for treatment.
Following preliminary medical care, they were referred to a hospital in Mysuru for further treatment.
Safari vehicle crashes during afternoon trip
The accident reportedly occurred while the safari vehicle was operating during the afternoon safari session.
Preliminary information suggests that the vehicle experienced a suspected brake failure, following which the driver lost control and the vehicle collided with a tree.
The impact left the 13 tourists and the driver injured.
Details regarding the extent of injuries sustained by the tourists and driver were not immediately available. Authorities are expected to ascertain the exact cause of the accident as part of the subsequent investigation.
Injured shifted for further treatment
The injured were taken to the H D Kote taluk hospital soon after the accident.
Health officials provided medical treatment to the injured before referring them to a hospital in Mysuru for further care.
The referral was made to ensure that those injured could receive appropriate treatment and further medical assessment.
The condition of the injured tourists and driver was not immediately known.
Tourists from Bengaluru and Mysuru
The tourists involved in the accident were from Bengaluru and Mysuru.
The safari at Dammanakatte is among the tourism activities available in and around the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, which attracts visitors seeking to experience its wildlife and forest landscape.
The accident has raised concerns over the safety and maintenance of safari vehicles operating in the reserve, particularly as the vehicle was reportedly involved in an accident following suspected brake failure.
Further details regarding the vehicle’s condition, maintenance history and whether any safety checks had been conducted before the safari were not immediately available.
Investigation likely to examine brake failure
The suspected brake failure is understood to be the immediate factor behind the crash, although the exact cause will need to be established.
An examination of the vehicle and other relevant circumstances could help determine whether the mechanical failure resulted from a technical defect, maintenance issue or another factor.
The incident also underlines the importance of regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles used to transport tourists through forest areas.
With wildlife safaris involving travel through uneven terrain and forest roads, vehicle safety is particularly important to protect both visitors and drivers.
Authorities are expected to gather further information about the accident and the condition of the vehicle as the investigation progresses.