A man and his three children died on spot in an accident at Hirebagewadi, in Belgaum district. The man’s nephew is battling for life.

The deceased have been identified as Nagangouda Patil (40) and his children Sanket (3), Soukhya (6), and Sriyanka Patil (14).

While Nagangouda Patil, Sanket and Soukhya died on the spot, Sriyanka died of her injuries at the hospital.

Patil was driving with four children on his bike on National Highway when the accident occurred.

The injured is Patil’s nephew Srishail Patil (10) and has been admitted to district hospital.

The five are from K K Kop village, near Hirebagewadi. They had been to Badekollamath near Hirebagewadi to perform prayers on the occasion of Sankranti on Tuesday.

The incident occurred when they were on their way to KK Kop and a truck rammed the bike Patil was driving.

Traffic on the national highway came to a grinding halt for about one hour after the incident.

A case has been registered at Hirebagewadi police station. 

3 girls drown

Three girls, who went to Tungabhadra river to take bath as part of Makara Sankranti celebrations, were trapped by the whirlpool in Lingapur village of Honnali taluk in Davangere district.

The deceased have been identified as Sakamma (15), daughter of Thippojirao, Asha (15) daughter of Mahadevappa, and Rekha daughter of Thippeshappa of the same village.

Honnali CPI P K Patil and staff visited the spot and fished out the bodies with the help of the villagers.