A devastating road accident in Karnataka's Chitradurga district in the early hours of Thursday has resulted in the tragic loss of at least five lives. The collision involved a container truck and a passenger bus, leaving a trail of grief and raising serious questions about road safety.
The Horrific Collision: A Timeline of Tragedy
The fatal incident occurred around 2 am on Thursday near Chitradurga. According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded when a container truck, reportedly overspeeding, jumped the road divider and crashed head-on into an oncoming bus traveling in the opposite direction. East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda confirmed these preliminary details to the press.
The human cost of the crash was severe. Five individuals lost their lives on the spot. The fatalities included four passengers from the bus and the driver of the container truck. Several others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
"I Tried to Control": Bus Driver's Harrowing Account
Rafiq, the driver of the bus involved in the Chitradurga accident, survived the crash and shared a chilling recollection of the moments leading to the disaster. He described a scene of sudden terror and helplessness.
Rafiq stated that he was driving within the speed limit of approximately 60-70 kilometres per hour. He noticed the truck approaching dangerously from the front. "I saw the vehicle coming from the front. I tried to control the bus on seeing the vehicle approaching from the opposite direction," he recounted. In his desperate attempt to avoid a collision, his bus even grazed another vehicle next to him.
He squarely blamed the overspeeding container truck for the accident, emphasizing that despite his efforts, a collision was inevitable. "It was overspeeding. I know only the vehicle (truck) hitting the bus," Rafiq said. The impact was so severe that he has no memory of the rescue operation or the immediate aftermath.
Aftermath: Condolences, Compensation, and Probe
The tragic news prompted immediate responses from the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed their profound condolences to the bereaved families.
Both leaders announced ex-gratia financial compensation for the families of those who died in the Chitradurga road accident. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah went a step further and assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the deadly crash and to ascertain accountability.
This incident has once again highlighted the critical issue of road safety, especially on highways during night hours. The community mourns as authorities begin the process of investigation and support for the affected families.
