Pilgrim-loaded Omni Van collides with KSRTC Bus at Nidde: 3 dead, 7 injured

 Swathi Shetty (15yr) One of the injured pilgrim taking treatment in Private Nursing Home Mangalore

05.05.10 Mangalore : In a terrifying accident this morning (May 5) at Nidde on way to Dharmasthala, a pilgrimage centre, a pilgrims-loaded Omni Maruthi Van collided with a KSRTC bus, resulting in the spot death of a small girl (5) and 2 more deaths in hospital. Seven more persons were seriously injured. The horrible accident happened in broad daylight at 7.15 in the morning. The van was traveling to Subrahmanya temple from Dharmasthala after the party offered worship there. The KSRTC bus met the pilgrims in the van at Boodujala, while coming from Bangalore via Kokkada to Dharmasthala. The bus driver appears to have lost control of his steering wheel to dash against the van which was crushed.

The injured Bunt persons were taken to a Belthangady hospital for first aid and later were admitted to a private nursing home in Mangalore under emergency. Two men died there, said police to this media.

The avoidable accident was attributed to the Bus driver’s hurry and carelessness on way. A criminal case is registered by Uppinangady police who rushed to the accident spot, and further investigation (mahajar) is on at present.