Pramesh S Jain
8 Killed, 13 injured in Lorry–Bolero collision near Mantralayam:
At least eight people were killed and 13 others injured after a head-on collision between a cement-laden tanker and a Bolero goods vehicle near Chilakaladona village in Mantralayam mandal in the early hours .
Senior officer said the accident occurred around 2:45 AM when a Bolero vehicle (KA-46-9745) carrying pilgrims from Chikkamagaluru district was on its way to Mantralayam for darshan.
The vehicle,driven by Sunil (40),collided with a cement tanker (KA-32-AC-1117) coming from the opposite direction, allegedly driven in a rash and negligent manner by Ramanna Basappa (28).
The impact of the collision was severe,killing five occupants on the spot and leaving several others critically injured.
All victims were residents of various villages in Chikkamagaluru district,Karnataka.
The injured were immediately shifted to the Government Hospital in Mantralayam,where three more victims succumbed to their injuries,taking the death toll to eight. Of the injured,nine were later referred to the Government General Hospital in Kurnool for advanced treatment.
Among the deceased are Kumar (60),Deepika Veena (35),Sunil (40), three-year-old Belli,Puttamma (60), Meenakshi (50),Lolakshi, and Tayamma alias Yashoda (60).Police said two of the deceased are men and six are women.
The bodies have been shifted to the Government Hospital in Yemmiganur for post-mortem examination.
The tanker driver reportedly escaped without injuries. Senior police officials,including the SDPO of Yemmiganur and personnel from Mantralayam Police Station, visited the accident site and hospital.
A case has been registered at Mantralayam Police Station, and further investigation is underway.
Governor of Andhra Pradesh,S Abdul Nazeer has expressed anguish and profound grief on the road accident occurred near Mantralayam in Kurnool district in the early hours on Thursday,in which eight people are reported to have lost their lives and several others were injured.
The Governor was briefed about the road accident that occurred when a tanker collided with the bus in which the pilgrims from Karnataka were proceeding to Mantralayam for darshan.
The Governor instructed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured persons and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow and said The mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is deeply painful.I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 he said in his tweet.
