Bijapur: 18 killed, six injured in ghastly accident at Sindagi

Daijiworld Media Network

Bijapur, Jul 22: A ghastly accident between a Cruiser and a private bus on national highway at Sindagi here on Monday July 22 claimed 18 lives.

Also, six persons sustained injuries and two of them are said to be critical.

The deceased were all from Sangli in Maharashtra.

The passengers in the Cruiser had been to seek blessings at a temple in Ganigapura on the occasion of Gurupoornima. The accident took place their vehicle collided with a bus on their way back.

Among the deceased, 15 persons died on the spot while three others breathed their last in hospital. Two women who are said to be serious are admitted in Sindagi government hospital.

Initial reports stated that the Cruiser was being driven at a high speed, which resulted in the accident.

"The accident took place when the Cruiser driver overtook another vehicle ahead and got rammed by the bus from opposite side. The impact was such the mangled van got stuck under the bus, killing its passengers instantaneously,"  Bijapur superintendent of police Ajay Hilori said.

The private bus belongs to M R Bus Service Ltd and operates services across three districts of north Karnataka.

"We have registered a case under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and set up a special team to investigate the mishap," Hilori said.

Due to the accident, traffic on the highway was choked for nearly three hours.

The bodies were shifted to Sindagi government hospital. Most of the deceased belong to the same family, said sources.

The bus driver fled from the spot soon after the accident. A hunt for him is on.