Six killed as Maruti Omni slips into Varuna canal

In a ghastly road accident, six persons including two boys and three women, were killed as the Maruti Omni they were travelling in slipped into the Varuna canal near here on Wednesday.

Police have identified the deceased as Sister Nithya (40) of Eco-Spandana Juvenile Justice institute and a resident of NR Mohalla in Mysuru, cook Payadamma (50), a native of Hosapete, Sneha Patil (25) warden of a hostel run by the institute, driver Narasimharaju (35) a native of Taggihalli in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district, Raju (10), son of Alphonse a resident of Bengaluru and Akash alias Joseph (11) of Gundlupet.

On Wednesday morning, four employees of the rehabilitation centre run by Eco-Spandana in Belagola went to Varuna canal to wash clothes.

Two boys, who skipped school due to ill health, joined them. After finishing their chores, they had lunch in the van. Driver Narasimharaju lost control while trying to go uphill as the vehicle slipped into the canal.

The bodies of Nithya, Narasimharaju and Payadamma were found in the vehicle, after it was lifted from the canal. The body of Sneha was retrieved four kilometre away from the mishap site. The fire personnel and expert divers have continued the search operation to retrieve the bodies of the boys. Two fire tenders from Mysuru were pressed into service. Krishnarajasagar police visited the spot.