Three infants among 4 killed after car hits culvert near Challakere

CHITRADURGA: Four people, including three infants, of the same family died while three others sustained injuries after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a culvert near Sanikere in Challakere taluk early today morning.

The driver apparently dozed off, leading to the accident. The occupants of the car were labourers and residents of Dandammanahalli in Devadurg taluk of Raichur district. They were heading to Bengaluru for work when the accident occurred.

The deceased were identified as Lingappa (26), Sindhushree (2), five-month-old Hayyalappa, Yellamma (30) and three-month-old Raksha. The injured are Yellamma (30), Mallamma (20) and Nagappa (35). They were admitted to the government hospital in Chitradurga.

The injured women said the accident occurred around 4.30 am when they were fast asleep. They did not even realise how they landed in hospital, they said.

Additional Director General of Police (Training, Traffic & Road Safety) Alok Kumar posted on X, “39 deaths & 152 injuries in road accidents in Karnataka yesterday. A drowsy driver hitting a culvert on Chitradurga-Ballary road killing 4 persons, is the most tragic one. Avoid travelling with a driver during night, without night driving experience”.

Police inspector Shivaraj and other officials visited the spot. A case has been registered at the Challakere police station.