Thirteen people, including two children, lost their lives in a tragic accident early Friday morning in Haveri district. A tempo traveler collided with a lorry on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway-48 near Gundenahalli Cross in Byadagi taluk around 3:30 a.m. The victims were returning to their hometowns after a pilgrimage.
The deceased have been identified as Parusharam, 45; Bhagya, 40; Nagesh, 50; Vishalakshamma, 40; Subhadrabai, 65; Punnya, 50; Manjulabai, 62; Adarsh, 23; Manasa, 24; Roopa, 40; Manjula, 50; and two boys aged four and six whose names have not yet been released. They had traveled to Chincholli to offer pooja to the Mayamma goddess and bless their newly purchased second-hand tempo traveler.
A total of 17 passengers, including the driver Adarsh, 23, were traveling in the MUV (multi-utility vehicle) when it collided with a lorry carrying sugar. According to SP Anshu Kumar Srivastava, 11 passengers died at the scene, and two more succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
The victims included residents from Yemmihatti village in Bhadravati taluk, Shivamogga district: Vishalakshamma, Adarsh, Nagesh, Bhagya, Manasa, and Subhadrabai. Parashuram and Roopa, a married couple, were from Halkol in Shivamogga. Manjulabai and Manjula were from Kalyal Circle in Bhadravati taluk, while Punyabai resided in Machenahalli in Bhadravati taluk.
SP Srivastava noted that the bodies were trapped in the mangled vehicle due to the high-speed collision. Four passengers sustained injuries, with two in critical condition.
The authorities are conducting further investigations into the incident.
