Bengaluru South (Ramanagara): In a tragic early morning accident, four passengers lost their lives after a private bus from Kerala crashed into roadside fencing near Sankalagere village in Channapatna taluk on the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway.
The bus, operated by Kerala-based PK Travels, was travelling from Kozhikode to Bengaluru when the accident occurred at around 4:10 AM near Puttappanadoddi. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver, reportedly in a state of drowsiness, lost control of the vehicle.
The impact was massive, with the bus dragging forward nearly 100 meters, leaving the front portion completely mangled.
Four passengers seated in the front rows died on the spot. The deceased have been identified as:
- Mohammed Faran (22), Kozhikode
- Sulfi (45), Kerala
- Rasheed (45), Kalasipalya, Bengaluru
- Saker, Adugodi, Bengaluru
Several others sustained injuries. Two passengers from Kannur—Abdul and Alein—are reported to be seriously injured and are undergoing treatment.
Around 25 passengers were on board at the time. Eyewitnesses stated that the casualty count could have been much higher if the impact had been more severe.
Channapatna Traffic Police rushed to the scene and have taken the driver into custody for questioning. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
Officials are probing whether overspeeding combined with driver fatigue led to the crash.The incident raises serious concerns about:
