Around 50 KSRTC passengers, who were travelling from Chikkamagaluru to Lingadahalli in Tarikere taluk on Saturday, were on tenterhooks after a lone tusker appeared in front of the bus while crossing Santaveri Ghat.
The elephant moving towards the bus forced the driver to reverse for about half-a-kilometre to avoid an encounter. As he spotted the animal, driver Siddesh drove in reverse, while conductor Suresh assisted him with suitable directions. Even so, the elephant followed the bus for a few metres, before vanishing into the woods. A passenger recorded the incident on his cellphone and the video clip has gone viral.
Chikkamagaluru Divisional Controller Anil Kumar told The Hindu that the incident happened two days ago and the alert staff successfully avoided an encounter. “I am told there were a few more elephants. The driver took the decision to drive in reverse gear,” he said.