A fatal accident on NH-66 near Chempiya Vishwakarma Sabha Bhavan, Saligrama, took the life of a scooter rider and left his co-rider severely injured on February 18.

Gundmi Ananth Hegde (40) lost his life after his scooter collided head-on with a goods rickshaw. His co-passenger, Vishwanath Nayak, the manager of Chempi Temple, suffered critical injuries and was admitted to Brahmavara Hospital.

The goods rickshaw was en route from Udupi to Kundapur, while the scooter was traveling from Saligrama to Gundmi when the crash occurred. The impact threw Ananth Hegde onto the road, causing fatal injuries. Despite prompt help from locals and an ambulance, he succumbed on the way to the hospital.

Kota police have registered a case and are investigating the accident.