12 of a family killed in Gadag accident

As many as 12 people, all of a family, were killed after a KSRTC bus rammed the Maruti Omni van they were travelling near Harlapura Cross in Gadag district on Sunday.

The deceased include six women, four men and two children, all belonging to the family of Shankaragouda Somanagouda of Rajivgandhi Nagar in Gadag. A woman, who sustained grievous injuries, is battling for life in the hospital.

The accident occurred when the victims were returning from a marriage in Mandalgeri of Koppal district. A KSRTC bus proceeding to Hosapete from Hubballi rammed the van. Ten passengers died on the spot while two succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

The deceased
The deceased have been identified as Shankaragouda Somanagouda (75), a retired Hescom employee, his wife Parvathamma (55), his brother’s wife Shakunthala Veeranagouda Somanagouda (56), daughters-in-law Rathna (30), Shantha (31), grandchildren Abhishek (21), Akash (17), Priya (7), Amitha (4), Karan Raju Yali (4) and Basamma (40), a neighbour of Somanagouda. The identity of another deceased is yet to be established. 

The driver and conductor of the bus fled the spot after the accident. 

The van was reduced to a heap of metal due to the impact of the collision and bodies had to be extricated with the help of a crane. 

Vehicular movement on the road was affected for more than two hours due to the accident. Senior police officials visited the spot.