HASSAN: Nine people belonging to one family, including four children, were killed on spot and 12 others were injured in a road accident involving a KSRTC bus, a Temp Traveller and a milk van in the district early on Sunday.
The accident occured near Arasikere under Banavara police station limits. The deceased were identified as Dhruva (2), Tanmaya (10), Leelavathi (50) from Salavara, Chaithra (33), Samarth (10), Shrushti alias Dimpu (12), Vandana (20), Doddaiah (60) and Bharathi (60). All belong to the same family. The injured were taken to a hospital nearby for treatment.
The accident occurred when the family was returning home after visiting Dharmasthala, Kukke Subrahmanya and Hasanamba temple.
An eyewitness said that the accident took place because the milk van driver did not notice the signboard signalling a diversion and went in the wrong direction, leading to the collision. The speeding Tempo Traveller collided with the milk lorry and overturned. The bus coming from behind collided with the overturned Tempo Traveller.
The Banavar Police have arrested milk van driver Naveen, who was absconding after the accident. Post-mortem procedures of all nine were done at the hospital and the last rites of the nine dead was held in their village.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was at the Maha Kumbhmela at Triveni Sangama in KR Pet taluk, expressed his grief and condolences to the family in a Twitter post and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the families. He stated that all necessary arrangements will be made for proper treatment of the injured.
Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda said in his twitter that, ‘It was an unfortunate incident. He requested the government to immediately announce appropriate compensation to those families. He also prayed to God for the eternal peace and strength to the families to bear this grief.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda requested the government to release compensation at t the earliest.