HASSAN: An excise sub-inspector and three IT employees were killed as their car rammed a container truck on NH-75 near Channarayapatna in the early hours of Saturday. The four friends were on their way to attend a marriage in Chikkamagaluru. Such was the impact of the crash that the left side of the car was crushed and flattened into a mass.
Chethan, the excise SI, had just finished training and was to join work on Monday in Mysuru. He was at the wheel at the time of the accident. “The youths were travelling to Chikkamagaluru from Bengaluru to attend a friend’s marriage. Around 5.45am, they were on the NH-75 bypass, about 1km from Nuggehalli circle, when Chethan failed to notice a speed barrier and lost control of the car. It rammed into the container vehicle which was moving slowly,” said a police officer.
Narrow Channarayapatna bypass sees frequent accidents: Locals
The other victims are Manjunath, Vikram and Abhishek, all 29 years old. The car belonged to Vikram.
Chethan, 28, had completed probationary training at Kalaburagi just three days ago and was joined by the trio, who work in private firms in Bengaluru. “All four were residents of Bengaluru and friends since their college days,” the officer said.
Chethan and the frontseat passenger died on the spot while the backseat passengers died on way to hospital, police said. “The container was empty and heading towards Hassan to pick up a consignment. The youths died of severe head and abdomen injuries,” said deputy SP Lakshmegowda.
Locals said the bypass was proving to be a hazard to commuters. “NH-75 has four lanes but the bypass of Channarayapatna town is of two lanes which is causing difficulty to drivers as it is narrow. Accidents happen frequently on the bypass road,” said Raghu, a resident.