Daijiworld News Network - Kundpaur/Kollur (GA)

Kundapur, Mar 25: This could be the worst day in the history of the famed Saligrama Yakshagana Troupe. Four persons of the troupe were killed in a ghastly road accident on Friday March 24 morning after the lorry belonging to the troupe turned turtle and rolled into a gorge at Jadkal near Kollur here.

The deceased have been identified as Gopal (30), Mahadev alias Madev (42)), residents of Dhareshwar, Krishna (28), a resident of Mandagadde near Teerthahalli and Kuppajja (65), a resident of Kumta.  While the first three were crushed to death on the spot, Kuppajja succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

Along with these, 17 others have been injured in the accident.  Except one Umesh Hiriadka,an electrician of the troupe, who is critically injured, rest of the injured are being treated in Chinmaya Hospital here.  Umesh who has sustained serious injuries into his head has been admitted to KMC Hospital at Manipal.

The lorry belonging to the troupe was coming to Idur-Kunjady near Vandse after staging a show at Genasinakuni near Sagar on Thursday March 23 night.  There were 22 persons travelling in the lorry.  The deceased were all helping the troupe in setting the stage for its shows.

Among the deceased, Mahadev had been serving the troupe as an assitant for the last 24 years.  He had been honoured for his great service in the last week at Karkala.

The lorry rolled into the gorge owing to a brake failure.  However, since it rested on a tree, many of them were saved.  The eye witnesses said that had the lorry fallen into the deep gorge, there would have been many more casualties.

The lorry has completely been damaged in the accident.  The dress materials and costumes used for Yakshagana, were found scattered on the ground.

Kollur police have registered a complaint in this regard.