Five persons were killed on the spot and eight were injured when a private passenger vehicle in which they were travelling collided with lorry near Cibara village in Chitradurga taluk in the wee hours of Monday. The deceased have been identified as Shivalinga, Shivalinga Kukkunur, Rakesh, Siddarth and Vinod, all residents of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district.
According to police sources, the accident occurred when the private passenger vehicle driver lost control over the vehicle. All the 13 persons were returning to their native place after visiting Mysuru. The injured have been admitted to Chitradurga government hospital for treatment. The lorry driver is absconding after the incident and police are searching for him.
Superintendent of Police Srinath Joshi visited the spot. A case has been registered in Chitradurga rural police station.