Four killed and one injured in a newspaper van accident near Solapur Cross under Sankeshwar Police Station limits, about 50 km from Belgaum in the early hours of Thursday. The van was carrying newspaper bundles from Hubli to Kolhapur.
The deceased have been identified as Ibrahim Saab of Shigihalli (60), Md. Ismail (31) of Davangere, Vasappa Dharibal Landge (60) of Gayakanwadi of Chikkodi taluk and cleaner Santosh Basappa Gundal (18) of Haveri. All the deceased were travelling in the newspaper van. The driver, Subash Kulkarni, is absconding.
The injured, identified as Abdul Razaq Bankapur of Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district, has been shifted to the government hospital in Sankeshwar town. Police said there was no threat to his life.
The cause of the accident still remains uncertain. The police said the driver may have hit another vehicle from behind while overtaking. However, no other vehicle was found near the spot of the accident and it is suspected that the other vehicle may have sped away.
Superintendent of Police Chandragupta inspected the accident spot.
