Five killed in KSRTC bus–car crash near Nelamangala

Bengaluru, : Five persons were killed in a tragic road accident involving a KSRTC bus and a car near Jindal at Nelamangala on Friday. The victims were travelling in an Indica car, which reportedly jumped the divider and rammed into a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus heading towards Bengaluru.

According to police, the car was coming from Tumakuru side when the driver allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to cross the median and collide head-on with the bus. The impact of the crash was so severe that four occupants of the car died on the spot, while the critically injured driver succumbed to injuries at the hospital later.

The deceased have been identified as Harshith and Nikhith from Doddaballapur, while the identities of three other victims are yet to be confirmed. All five bodies have been shifted to Nelamangala Government Hospital for post-mortem.

Harshith was a second-year degree student at Sai Vidya College in Rajanukunte, police said. According to family members, he was at home till around 8.30 pm before leaving to meet a friend. The accident occurred while the group was travelling towards Bengaluru.

The front portion of the KSRTC bus was damaged in the collision, while the car was completely mangled. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported among passengers of the bus, officials said.

A case has been registered at Madanayakanahalli Police Station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Scenes outside Nelamangala Government Hospital were heart-rending, as Harshith’s mother broke down upon seeing her son’s body, holding him and weeping inconsolably.

The incident comes just a day after another horrific accident in the district. On Friday, seven people were killed in a multi-vehicle collision near M. Sathyavara village in Hoskote taluk of Bengaluru Rural district. The accident involved a canter vehicle, a bike and an XUV car on the Hoskote–Dabaspete National Highway. Six occupants of the car and a biker died on the spot in that crash.

With two major accidents occurring within days, concerns are being raised over road safety and reckless driving on highways around Bengaluru. Police have urged motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits and exercise caution, especially on busy stretches connecting Tumakuru and the state capital.