9 burnt to death as pvt bus catches fire after collision with lorry near Hiriyur

CHITRADURGA: Nine people were burnt alive after a private bus collided with a lorry and caught fire near Gorlatta village in Hiriyur taluk in the wee hours on Thursday. Several other passengers were injured in the accident.

The bus, a Seabird sleeper coach, was travelling from Hiriyur to Bengaluru when it was hit by the lorry, which was heading from Bengaluru to Shivamogga. The impact caused the bus to catch fire, trapping passengers inside. The lorry driver, who was speeding and reckless, jumped the divider and collided with the bus.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred between 1.30-2 am. The bus cleaner Sadiq, said, “We didn’t know what happened. The next thing I knew, I was outside the bus, and it was on fire. Locals came to our rescue”.

Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda, who visited the spot, confirmed nine deaths — eight bus passengers and the lorry driver. The injured were taken to Hiriyuru and Chitradurga district hospitals, with some seriously injured shifted to Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru.

Chitradurga SP Ranjit said 21 passengers have been accounted for, with 11 still missing. The police are investigating the incident, registered at Hiriyuru rural police station. The lorry driver may have dozed offf, causing the accident.