Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Jan 13: It is learnt that union AYUSH minister, Shripad Naik and his entourage met with accident because of choosing a shortcut to reach Gokarn instead of national highway. The vehicle which met with an accident had Vijaya, wife of the minister, and five others.

The minister was supposed to take Yellapur - Ankola national highway 63 but changed mind to cut short the distance. They took Yellapur - Hosakambi - Gokarn road. But the road works were semi finished and there were potholes. After the car tyres entered a gorge by the side of the road when the driver tried to avoid potholes, the vehicle tumbled down. Gunman, Tukaram Patil, driver, Suraj Naik, minister's relative, Saikiran Shietia were treated at the district hospital and sent away as their injuries were minor in nature.

Uttara Kannada district superintendent of police, Shivaprakash Devaraju, said that it is not safe to drive vehicle even at 20 to 30 km per hour on Hosambi road as work is in progress. He said that there is a possibility that the vehicle would have met with accident as the minister's car was moving at a higher speed. He said that investigation is being conducted into this aspect.