Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Apr 22: A tempo carrying pilgrims from Haveri district to Subrahmanya tumbled about 50 feet down, when negotiating a steep bend at Charmadi Ghat on Tuesday April 21. Injuries suffered by 12 of the 18 pilgrims, who belong to Boodugatti village, are of serious in nature and hence all of them stand admitted into a hospital at Mangaluru.

The tempo carrying these villagers hit the protective wall at the second bend of the ghat road after the driver lost control over the vehicle, and had a free fall down the gorge. All the occupants of the vehicle were injured, and the vehicle was badly damaged in the incident.

Pilgrims, Laxmamma (45), Sagar (10), Veeramma (36), Neelamma (35), Maqbool (42), Savitri (34), Renuka (35), Gangavva (42), Savita (25), Nagamma (50), Basavaraj (45) and Chennavva (40) were admitted into a private hospital in Mangaluru as the injuries suffered by them were grave.

The others, Nanjavva (24), Jayashree (40), Chennamma (35), Shivagangavva (50), Suvarna (30), and Laxmi (24) were admitted into the government hospital at Beltangady.

As the vehicle had fallen down to a spot which was not easily reachable, the rescue teams had a harrowing team going there and rescuing the injured. Locals and policemen worked together to provide relief to the pilgrims. Ambulances were pressed into service. The timely help extended by Charmadi Hasanabba and policemen of the check post there helped the victims to get medical attention without much delay.