Bengaluru, Sep 15 (IANS): Ganesh festival celebrations turned tragic in Karnataka as at least seven people were killed in three separate road accidents reported in Belagavi, Kalaburagi districts in North Karnataka and Mandya in South Karnataka between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
In Mandya, a couple and their daughter were killed after a tanker ran over their scooter in the early hours of Tuesday. The deceased have been identified as Mutturaj, his wife Kavya and their daughter Keerthana.
Mutturaj, who was employed at a factory in Bengaluru’s Peenya area, had travelled with his family to his mother-in-law’s house to celebrate the Ganesh festival. The family was returning to Bengaluru after the celebrations when the accident occurred at around 4.15 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to police, the tanker allegedly came from behind and hit the scooter before running over the victims. CCTV footage obtained by the police reportedly shows the tanker dragging the scooter for some distance after the collision.
Police suspect rash and negligent driving by the tanker driver to be the cause of the accident. The driver fled the spot following the incident and police have launched a search to trace him.
Another daughter of the couple sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. The bodies have been shifted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS). The family has said that the final rites will be conducted at Kootaganahalli in Kanakapura.
In Kalaburagi, one person was killed and another critically injured in an accident while they were reportedly on their way to bring a Ganesha idol. The incident occurred at the Hirapura Road Flyover in Kalaburagi city.
The deceased has been identified as Prashanth Biradar. According to police, Prashanth was riding a motorcycle when it came into contact with another two-wheeler. Both riders fell onto the road and sustained serious head injuries. Prashanth later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, while the other injured person is undergoing treatment.
In Belagavi, three persons were killed after a motorcycle on which they were travelling was hit by a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus on the outskirts of Savadatti town late on Monday late night.
The deceased have been identified as 22-year-old Vinod Hogennavar, 20-year-old Akash and Ravi Kurubara. According to police, the three had travelled from Dharwad to witness the Ganesh procession and were returning towards Savadatti after the celebrations when the accident occurred.
The KSRTC bus, which was coming from the opposite direction, allegedly collided with their motorcycle. All three died on the spot due to the impact. Police have taken up an investigation into the accident.
Police in all three districts have taken up investigations into the respective accidents.
