Udupi: Two persons lost their lives in separate road accidents reported from Kaup and Moodbidri areas of Udupi district on Friday, police said.
In the first incident, a 23-year-old hotel management student was killed while two others were injured after a car collided with a lorry in Pangala near Kaup during the early hours.
Student killed, two injured in Pangala accident
The deceased has been identified as Shreyas Acharya, a resident of Udupi. According to police, Acharya was driving the car, accompanied by his classmates Darwin and Surya. The trio were travelling from Mangaluru towards Manipal.
The accident occurred around 1 am near Vidyavardhaka School in Pangala. Police said Acharya attempted to overtake another vehicle but ended up crashing into the rear side of a lorry moving ahead in the same direction. The lorry, reportedly loaded with coke, was en route to Ganigera in Koppal district.
The impact of the collision left the car severely damaged, trapping Acharya inside. Passers-by alerted the police and emergency services, following which he was rescued and rushed to a hospital.
Victim dies before reaching hospital
Despite efforts to save him, Acharya succumbed to his injuries in the ambulance before reaching the district hospital in Udupi. His two injured classmates were admitted to a nearby hospital and are currently undergoing treatment.
The Kaup Police have registered a case against the deceased driver for rash and negligent driving, as per standard legal procedure in such incidents.
Elderly woman killed in Moodbidri mishap
In a separate incident reported from Moodbidri taluk, a 61-year-old woman lost her life after being hit by a motorcycle in Varnabettu area of Paladka Gram Panchayat.
The deceased has been identified as Sumitra. According to police, she was crossing the road around 10 am when she was struck by a motorcycle ridden by Supresh, a resident of Keplaje.
Sumitra was reportedly on her way to work in an agricultural field at the time of the accident. She sustained serious injuries and was immediately shifted to a hospital in Moodbidri.
Succumbs to injuries in hospital
Despite medical attention, Sumitra succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, police said. The Moodbidri Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Rising road safety concerns
Both incidents have once again highlighted concerns over road safety in coastal Karnataka. Overspeeding, risky overtaking and lack of pedestrian safety measures continue to be major contributing factors to accidents in the region.
Authorities have urged motorists to adhere strictly to traffic rules and exercise caution, especially during night travel and in areas with pedestrian movement.
Conclusion
The twin tragedies in Udupi district underline the urgent need for improved road discipline and awareness among drivers and pedestrians alike. As investigations continue, officials stress the importance of responsible driving to prevent further loss of life.