Davanagere accident: 1 student dead, 45 injured as KSRTC bus overturns

DAVANAGERE: A college student was killed and nearly 45 passengers were injured after a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus they were travelling in overturned in Karnataka’s Davanagere district on Friday after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, police said.The deceased, Darshan (23), a resident of Kundru village in Honnali taluk, was pursuing a BCom degree.He was travelling on the bus to attend college when the accident occurred.Most of the injured sustained minor injuries and are being treated at a hospital in Davanagere. Six others with grievous injuries have been shifted to Manipal Hospital, police said.According to police, the bus was travelling from Davanagere to Honnali when the accident occurred near Marabanahalli in Channagiri taluk of the district.Preliminary findings suggest the accident may have been triggered after the rear axle of the bus allegedly broke, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to topple, a senior police officer said.Following the incident, locals gathered at the spot and expressed anger over the shortage of KSRTC buses on the route. The situation was later brought under control, officials said."In the accident, a college student succumbed to his injuries, while about 45 passengers were injured. Most of them sustained minor injuries, including the bus driver. Six of them, who sustained grievous injuries, have been shifted to Manipal Hospital," Shekhar H Tekkannavar, Superintendent of Police, Davanagere, told PTI.Police said a case has been registered against the bus driver for causing death by negligence, and further investigation is underway.