Karnataka: Seven of a family killed in accident

MANDYA: Seven persons of a family were killed when a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus collided with a Maruti Omni van near Hulkere Koppalu gate in Pandavapura taluk on Monday.The deceased have been identified as Kayi Thandavaiah (50) of Holalu in Mandya taluk, his son Krishnamurthy (30), Siddaraju (45), son-in-law of Thandavaiah, Kurikoppalu in Mandya taluk, Ravalaiah (46) of Budanur in Mandya taluk, driver Balu (35) of Gopalapura in Mandya taluk, Borappa (38) of Yarahalli in Mandya taluk and Rajanna, residing near railway station at Pandavapura.The accident occurred on Mysore-KR Pet road at 10.30 am when the deceased Kayi Thandavaiah went along with six others in search of a bride for his son Krishnamurthy, an employee in the Agriculture Department who recently did his PhD.According to eye witnesses, the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of KSRTC bus (KA-09, F-3986) driver Siddaramu, who fled from the scene before people from nearby villages rushed to the spot.Without paying attention to congested areas near Basaveshwara temple, the bus coming from KR Pet to Mysore, hit the van that was coming from the opposite direction while overtaking a tempo killing all the six passengers travelling in the van on the spot.Accident zoneThe spot where the accident occurred on Monday, is known to be a danger zone. Within 100 mt of the incident about eight accidents have occurred in the last two years and has claimed 18 lives. Neither the district administration nor the police department has taken precautionary measures to prevent the accidents. At least, now the district administration should upgrade the highway and make it a four lane road, locals urged.