Killer road claims four lives in a span of few hours

Two of a family; agri officer killed

The 140-km Mysuru-Bengaluru highway is turning out to be deadlier by the day, claiming lives of commuters at alarming rapidity. Within a span of few hours between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, the road claimed four lives, leaving fellow commuters flustered and panic stricken. 

On Thursday early morning, three persons were killed following a collision between two cars on the highway, near Haleboodanuru, in Mandya taluk. Police officials suspect that the driver of the other car lost control after one of the tyres burst, hit the divider, went airborne, and crashed into the other car.

The deceased have been identified as Sumitra (50), wife of Padmanabha Shetty, her brother Raghunandan (55) -- residents of Netajinagar in Mysuru, and car driver Prakash (23).

Raghunandan’s wife Mythili who has been grievously injured, has been admitted to Columbia Asia hospital in Mysuru for treatment.

The family members were on their way to Bengaluru to attend the house warming ceremony of Sumitra and Raghunandan’s brother, in an Indica car, when the mishap occurred near Haleboodanuru cross. A Ford Fiesta car that was coming from Bengaluru side rammed into the Indica, following which the Fiesta landed atop the Indica, killing the three on the spot.

The driver of the Fiesta is said to be absconding and police are on the lookout for him.   
Mandya rural police have registered a case. SP Bushan Borase visited the spot.

Following the accident, traffic on the busy highway was disrupted for a while. Cranes were used to remove the vehicles and traffic was cleared eventually.

Last rites of Raghunandan and Sumitra were performed in the city in the evening. Raghunandan was employed as a quality control officer in Public Works Department of Mysuru district.

According to sources, the deceased had left to Bengaluru at around 5.30 am, and news of the accident reached the family around 7 am.

Agri officer killed

An assistant agriculture officer, who sustained serious injuries to the head after being knocked over by a speeding bike, on Wednesday, breathed his last on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Nagendra (55), an employee of the Agriculture department. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, as he was crossing the highway near Naganahalli, after finishing work.

A speeding bike had knocked him over and he was rushed to a private hospital. However, he did not respond to the treatment and breathed his last during the day. A case has been registered at Narasimharaja police station.