Driver dies of burns after truck collides with CNG tanker; Two dead after goods vehicle overturns

CHIKKABALLAPUR, BALLARI: One person died while another sustained burn injuries after a truck carrying granite blocks collided with a truck carrying CNG cylinders near Hunegal in Chikkaballapur taluk in the wee hours on Saturday. The driver of the CNG truck, Narasimhamurthy, and Madappa were shifted to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for treatment where Narasimhamurthy died.

The driver of the truck carrying CNG cylinders died of burn injuries in hospital.

The truck carrying CNG cylinders had stopped to take a U-turn near Hunegal when the truck carrying granite blocks rammed into it, resulting in CNG leakage and both the trucks catching fire and causing an explosion. The impact of the explosion was such that the residents of Hunegal were terrified.

The truck carrying granite blocks rammed into an electricity pole.

The Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and put out the blaze. The police later cleared the road for traffic by removing the trucks with the help of cranes. The tanker driver Narasimhamurthy was a resident of Iddalodu in Sidlaghatta taluk. The CNG truck was on its way from Tumakuru to Chikkaballapur to supply CNG to refilling stations.

In another accident near Kolur Cross in Kurugod taluk of Ballari district, two people died after a goods vehicle overturned into a roadside canal after the driver lost control. The deceased are Rangaswamy (40) of Badanahatti village and Paramesh (32) of Kallukambha village.

Another person who was travelling in the goods vehicle suffered injuries and his condition is said to be serious at the BIMS Hospital. A total of five people were travelling in the goods vehicle when the accident occurred.

Rice was spilt all around where the vehicle had overturned, leading to suspicion that it may have been carrying grains meant for PDS distribution. Ballari SP Shobha Rani visited the spot and the Kurugod police have registered a case.