Bus ferrying construction workers topples near airport; 1 dead

Bengaluru: One person was killed and several others sustained injuries when the bus they were travelling in toppled near the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Initial police reports revealed that the bus was carrying 35 workers employed by highway developer and construction engineering firm, Ashoka Buildcon Limited.

The vehicle, bearing registration number KA 03 C 3642, was ferrying workers reportedly engaged in the construction of the Western Crossfield Taxiway at the airport, which will connect the north and south runways.

The crash occurred between 12.45 pm and 1 pm, at the first signal towards Begur Road after the KIAL first circle.

The police said the employees were on their way to their paying guest accommodation in Kadayarapanahalli near Hunachur for lunch.

The incident reportedly happened when the bus driver, who was speeding, took a sharp left turn at a crossroad towards Begur, causing the vehicle to topple to the right and crash.

One person succumbed to critical injuries at the hospital. Two others sustained major injuries, while six others suffered minor injuries.

Nine of the injured were shifted to a private hospital in Hebbal, while the remaining were taken to another hospital in Devanahalli. The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Santosh Yadav, was among them. The bus driver also sustained injuries. One person was discharged shortly after admission.

Yadav, a native of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, had joined the construction company as a roller operator barely 10 days ago. He had previously worked on projects by NCC Limited and TATA Projects. He is survived by his wife and two children.