Five Killed, Five Injured as Goods Vehicle Crashes into Van on Karnataka Highway
Five persons, including three members of a family, were killed and five others injured in a road accident on National Highway 63 near Bhanapur in Koppal district's Kukanur taluk on Saturday morning, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Kenchamma Balekayi (35), Amrutha Kotyal (25), driver Ramesh Ballari (45), Praveen Shivaji Balekayi, and 16-year-old Chinmay. Praveen and Kenchamma were husband and wife, while Chinmay was their son, Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasiddi said.
According to police, the victims were residents of Kabbar village in Rattihalli taluk of Haveri district. They were travelling in an Omni van to Mantralayam via Koppal when the accident occurred.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a goods vehicle crossed the road median and rammed head-on into the Omni van near Bhanapur. The impact of the collision was severe, throwing occupants onto the road.
Five other occupants of the Omni van sustained injuries. One injured person is in critical condition and has been shifted to Ballari for advanced treatment. The remaining injured are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.
Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasiddi rushed to the accident spot after receiving information and supervised the rescue operation. He later visited the district hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured and directed officials to ensure prompt medical attention.
The bodies were shifted to the district hospital for post-mortem examination with the assistance of ambulance personnel. Yelburga Circle Police Inspector Mouneshwar Patil inspected the accident site. Further investigation is underway.
