KSRTC bus crash near Bengaluru: Two employees dead, 25 passengers injured
Two employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) were killed and 25 passengers injured when a bus rammed into a signboard and overturned on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway near Avaragere Gate in Bengaluru South district on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The deceased have been identified as bus conductor Mithilesh and driver Arun Kumar, both in their 40s and residents of Kerala. Confirming this, a senior police officer from Bidadi said one of the 25 injured was in critical condition with a severe head injury, while others had suffered fractures and injuries to their limbs, back and face. The officer said most of the injured were out of danger and recovering in hospital. The critically injured passenger has been admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru for specialised treatment.
The accident took place around 6.30 a.m. when the interstate bus, which was heading to Bengaluru from Kerala, veered sharply to the left, crashed into a directional signboard, and toppled onto its side. Passengers quickly alerted the police control room, prompting an immediate response from the Bidadi police and the fire and emergency services. The rescue teams worked for over an hour to pull out passengers who were trapped inside the damaged vehicle.
"A few passengers had managed to come out of the bus on their own, while a few others had to be rescued. They were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment," the officer said.
The officer said preliminary investigations suggest that the driver may have lost control after feeling drowsy, but added that a detailed probe is underway to determine the exact cause. The condition of the bus, its speed, and the driver's duty schedule are being examined. The Bidadi police have registered a first information report (FIR) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section pertaining to death by negligence.
The bodies of the two deceased have been preserved at a hospital in the area, and family members have been informed. Police said they would be handed over to the relatives after the completion of legal formalities and arrival of the families from Kerala.
Traffic on the busy highway, which connects Bengaluru with Mysuru and further to the rest of the state, was disrupted for nearly an hour as debris from the bus scattered on the road. Police and highway authorities cleared the wreckage to prevent any secondary accident. By late morning, traffic was restored to normal, officials said.
The Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway, a major artery for commuters and goods movement between southern Karnataka and Kerala, has witnessed many accidents over the years. Road safety experts point out that long-distance bus operations often suffer due to driver fatigue, inadequate rest breaks, and pressure to stick to tight schedules. The latest incident has once again highlighted the need for stricter implementation of driver rest norms and periodic medical check-ups for commercial vehicle operators.
KSRTC, owned by the Kerala government, runs a vast network of services across the southern states. The corporation has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Meanwhile, police have recorded the statements of passengers and are verifying the identity of all involved. Further investigation is in progress, and the cause of the crash will be determined based on evidence, including skid marks, eyewitness accounts, and any available CCTV footage from the highway.
Road users and residents have expressed concern over the frequency of accidents on this stretch, and the district administration is expected to review safety measures, including the placement of signboards and lighting. The police have urged motorists to exercise caution and said that strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the incident.
