Mini-bus hits parked truck; 13 persons killed, two in critical condition

GUNDENAHALLI: 13 people, including eight women and two children, were killed after a mini-bus rammed into a parked truck in Haveri district of Karnataka on Friday. The incident took place near Gundenahalli Cross on the Bengaluru-Pune National Highway.

The deceased have been identified as Parashuram (45), Bhagya (40), Nagesha (50), Vishalakshi (50), Subhadra Bai (65), Punya (50), Manjula Bai (57), Adarsh (23), Manasa (24), Rupa (40), and Manjula (50). Two children, aged four and six years, also died in the incident. Four other persons are undergoing treatment at the hospital. The condition of two people is said to be critical.

Police said that the deceased hailed from Emmehatti village near Bhadravathi town in Shivamogga district. The accident took place while the group was returning to their native place after a pilgrimage in the Belagavi district.

The initial investigation suspects that the driver could not see the parked truck on the side of the road due to mist and rammed into it. The police also suspect that the driver may have dozed off. Haveri SP Anshu Kumar said that there were over 15 persons in the tempo traveller vehicle and the accident took place while they were returning to their home. The bodies have been shifted to the Haveri District Hospital mortuary.