A horrific chain-reaction collision involving three Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses unfolded on Sunday evening near Malavalli in Mandya district, resulting in a tragic loss of life and leaving many commuters injured.
The devastating incident occurred on National Highway 948, close to Bachanahalli. Early reports indicate that ten of the injured passengers are in critical condition, highlighting the severity of the crash.
Police investigations suggest that the calamity began when a KSRTC bus, en route from Kollegal to Bengaluru, experienced a sudden tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control. This led to a head-on collision with another bus traveling in the opposite direction. Moments later, a third KSRTC bus, following closely behind, was unable to stop in time and subsequently rammed into the already entangled wreckage.
Local residents swiftly responded to the scene, providing immediate assistance and alerting emergency services. The injured were quickly transported to the local taluk hospital, with those suffering more severe trauma being rushed to larger medical facilities in Mysuru and Mandya. The sheer force of the impact left the front sections of the vehicles grotesquely twisted, a testament to the collision’s intensity.
The accident brought vehicle movement on the busy highway to a standstill for nearly an hour, causing significant disruption. Senior police officials promptly arrived at the site to oversee rescue operations and commence a thorough investigation.