Another Sleeper Bus Accident, 17 Died!

After the horrific incident earlier in Kurnool, a similar disaster has now taken place in Karnataka, leaving several families shattered.

The latest accident occurred in the early hours of the morning near Gorlattu Cross in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district. A speeding lorry lost control, crossed the divider on National Highway 48, and crashed into a sleeper coach bus coming from the opposite direction. Within moments of the collision, both vehicles caught fire.

The bus, travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, was engulfed in flames, leaving passengers with little chance to escape. At least nine people were burnt alive on the spot, and officials fear the death toll could rise upto 17. The lorry was reportedly travelling from Hiriyur to Bengaluru.

Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene after the accident was reported, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already spread completely. Due to the sleeper coach structure, many passengers were trapped inside. While a few managed to escape, several others lost their lives before help could reach them.

The injured were shifted to hospitals in Tumakuru and nearby areas, while authorities are working to identify the victims and hand over the bodies to their families after post mortem procedures.

Police have stated that overspeeding and negligence by the lorry driver appear to be the main reasons behind the accident. Incidents like these once again highlight how dangerous sleeper buses can become during fires, especially during night travel.

With repeated tragedies in different states, there is a growing demand for stricter safety measures and better emergency systems in sleeper buses, before more lives are lost.