Bus falls into stream in Mandya, five killed

Five people were killed on the spot and 63 were injured, when a private bus they were travelling in, fell into a stream near Chikkamandya in the taluk on Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as K L Shivanna, 62, member of Hulivana Gram Panchayat and resident of Kodihalli village, Lokesh Siddaiah, 34, Nathappa alias Nathegowda, 56, G P Shrikanth, 27 and Lakshmamma Boraiah, 35, all from K Goudagere village.

A seriously injured Shravya has bene shifted to a hospital in Mysore, while Janakamma and Rani are being treated at Nimhans in Bangalore.

The bus, which was bound for Mandya from Dyapasandra, veered off the bridge and fell into the stream.

The driver of the bus which is operated by SVMS Travels, has been absconding. Officials of the regional transport office have been directed to gather more information, said DSP Bhushan Borase.

The State government has announced an ex gratia of Rs one lakh each to the family members of the deceased. District in-charge Minister Ambareesh has also announced a compensation of Rs 20,000 to the injured.

Former legislator C S Puttaraju said the JD(S) will give an ex gratia of Rs one lakh to the family members of the deceased.

Chaos prevailed for some time when the kin of the deceased sought Rs five lakh compensation. They also gheraoed Minister for Public Works Department Dr H C Mahadevappa, who had come to console them. Mahadevappa also promised to take steps to repair the roads.