Six die as 2 MUVs collide head-on near Chitradurga

Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when the multi-utility vehicle (MUV) in which they were travelling collided head-on with another MUV at Metikurke in the taluk on Saturday.

The accident occurred in front of Hotel Athithya on national highway-4. The deceased are Praveen Demashetty, 35, his wife Sowmya, 30, son Sharath, 6, daughter Praneetha, 3, and Sowmya's brother Sagar, 25. They are all residents of Mathikere in Bengaluru. The Demashetty family was on its way in a Suzuki Ertiga vehicle to Gadag to take part in a marriage function.

The other deceased is Anwar Shivu, 55, a member of the Chitradurga APMC, who was travelling in a Scorpio vehicle. Shanu, Dhanu, Shakeer and Mansoor, who were travelling with Shivu have suffered severe injuries. They have been admitted to the Davangere government hospital for treatment, Circle Inspector of Police Gururaj told reporters.  

It is said the tyre of the  Suzuki Ertiga burst and so, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The Scorpio vehicle swerved to the other side of the highway, which resulted in the vehicle colliding with the Scorpio vehicle.

The Scorpio passengers were on their way from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, Gururaj said. The Hiriyur rural police have registered a case and are investigating.