A harrowing incident unfolded late on October 14, as a North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) bus, en route from Bengaluru to Athani, veered off course and crashed into a tree near Mabanur Cross in Belagavi district. The impact left at least ten individuals with various injuries, shattering the peaceful night journey for many passengers.
Following the collision, police officers swiftly arrived at the scene, taking charge of the emergency. They promptly transported all the injured to Gokak taluk hospital and other nearby medical facilities for urgent care.
However, the aftermath of the crash revealed a concerning lapse in emergency services. Distraught relatives of the injured passengers voiced strong complaints to the police, alleging that despite their immediate calls to the Health Department’s helpline around 3 a.m., ambulances failed to arrive. This alleged non-response from the official emergency medical services highlights a critical issue in the region’s readiness for such unfortunate events.