Two killed, 35 injured in bus collision near Sira on NH-48
Tumakuru : In a tragic road accident near Sira in Tumakuru district, two passengers lost their lives and at least 35 others sustained serious injuries after a KSRTC bus rammed into a private sleeper bus on National Highway 48 in the early hours of Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Praveen Krishnappa (28), a native of Haveri, and Sangeeta (16) from Gadag. The accident occurred around 3 am near the Mini Vidhana Soudha in Sira taluk.
According to preliminary reports, both buses were travelling towards Bengaluru when the incident took place. The private sleeper bus is said to have suddenly shifted from the third lane to the second lane on the highway. At the same time, the KSRTC bus, which was moving at high speed in the adjacent lane, reportedly lost control and crashed into the rear of the private bus.
The impact of the collision was severe, particularly affecting passengers seated in the rear portion of the private bus. Praveen Krishnappa and Sangeeta, who were seated at the back, died on the spot due to the force of the crash. Several others suffered grievous injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Eyewitnesses stated that the accident caused panic at the scene, with injured passengers crying for help and bystanders rushing to assist. Emergency services were immediately alerted, and police teams reached the spot to conduct rescue operations and manage traffic on the busy highway.
Authorities have registered two separate cases at the Sira Town Police Station, citing negligent and reckless driving as the primary cause of the accident. Officials are currently investigating the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and lane discipline on highways, especially during night-time travel when visibility and driver alertness are often compromised.
