A 19-year-old youth was killed and 12 persons were injured when the bus by which they were travelling veered off the road and fell 25 feet, landing on the service road below. The accident occurred at Halady village in Shankarnarayana police station limits in the district on Wednesday.
According to the police, the bus was travelling from Siddapura to Udupi when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle.
The youth, Susmanth, a factory worker and resident of Shankarnarayana village, died on the spot.Pushpalatha also from Shankarnarayana village, who sustained serious injuries, has been admitted to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. The others have been admitted to Chinmayi Hospital in Kundapur and Adarsha Hospital in Udupi.
The police said rash and negligent driving was the reason for the accident. A case under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 304 of IPC have been registered at the Shankarnarayana police station.
P.M. Diwakar, Circle Police Inspector, told The Hindu that the driver, Shankar, who was also injured, said the bus axle broke, resulting in the accident.
The bus had a board in front saying it was going from Siddapur to Udupi, but at the rear the board said it was going from Shimoga to Chitradurga. “We are investigating if the bus has violated route permit conditions,” Mr. Diwakar said.
