Teen killed as car bursts into flames after crash on NH 48

The driver of the hatchback is absconding with one of the three passengers who were in the car. The two other passengers are undergoing treatment at an ESI hospital.

Bengaluru: A teenager was killed on Sunday night and nine people were injured in a car crash on the Tumakuru-Bengaluru stretch of National Highway 48. Sixteen-year-old student Divya was reportedly burnt alive in a Maruti Omni (KA 19 N 9368), which burst into flames after being rear-ended by another car.

Nelamangala traffic police said the accident occurred around 10 pm on the bridge near the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The Gujarati family was travelling from Abbigere to their home in Dasanapura, when a speeding white Maruti Suzuki Baleno, a hatchback-type car, rammed the van’s rear and sent it tumbling forward.

"The Omni must have flipped over three or four times before lurching by its side. The crash caused a petrol leak that caused the the van to explode. Divya died on the spot, while others are undergoing treatment at different hospitals,” a police officer attached to the Nelamangala traffic police station said.

Shantilal (65), Manjula (65), Mahesh (46), Tharun (43), Sunitha (41), Naman (19) and Mayank (19) suffered injuries and were rescued by passersby and the police. Three are reportedly in a critical condition at the Victoria Hospital burns centre, while the others are being treated at a hospital in Nelamangala.

The driver of the hatchback is absconding with one of the three passengers. Two others are being treated at an ESI hospital.

Police have filed a case against the accused for rash and negligent driving, causing hurt due to a rash or negligent act to endanger human life or personal safety, and causing death by negligence, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

'Slim chance of survival'

Dr Yogishwarappa, Professor and HoD, Plastic Surgery and Burns, Victoria Hospital, said the three critical patients have a slim chance of survival.

He told DH that they are admitted at the high dependency units (HDU) at the hospital's burns centre. Sunitha has suffered 64% burns, Naman 52%, and Mayank 57%, along with inhalation burns.

"They have suffered burns on their upper trunks, upper and lower limbs, and faces. They are maintaining oxygen saturation now, but if they develop any respiratory difficulties, we will put them on ventilator in the ICU," he said.