Pilgrimage turns tragic: Ten die in head-on collision between car, bus near Mysuru

MYSURU: Ten persons including nine of a family from Ballari died in a ghastly road accident after the hired SUV in which the family was travelling crashed into the oncoming private bus, on a state road near T Narasipura, some 36 km away from Mysuru city on Monday.
Three others who escaped death in the accident are hospitalized. Of them one is battling for life, according to police. In all 13 persons – 12 from the family including four children and the driver were in the SUV.

Mysuru Superintendent of Police Seema Latkar confirmed to TOI that nine persons from Ballari and the driver Aditya from Srirangapatna (Mandya) died on the spot. Janardhan (40) is critical with head injuries while Puneeth (5) and Shashikumar suffered multiple injuries but appear to be stable. All three are being treated in KR Hospital in Mysuru. Even few bus passengers have sustained injuries too are being treated in hospitals.
The deceased were all in the SUV and were travelling to Mysuru to board the Hampi Express to head to Ballari when the tragedy happened exactly at 2.09 pm near Kurbur village. The family members who were on a pilgrimage for two days were scheduled to leave Mysuru to their native at 6.50pm.
According to sources, the family that arrived in Mysuru on Saturday visited various tourist places in Mysuru including Mysuru Zoo and Chamundi Hills before hiring a cab from Mysuru to visit Hill shrines in neighbouring Chamarajanagar districts on Sunday. They visited Male Mahadeshwara Hills and stayed overnight. Early on Monday the family members visited Biligiriranga Swamy temple and were travelling back when the tragedy happened.
The SUV crashed into the private bus coming in the opposite direction some 8 km away from T Narasipura town.
The accident has been recorded live on the bus dashcam
The road crash that claimed 10 lives and left several injured was recorded live on the dashcam in the bus. It shows that the SUV crossed the median line and was on the right side of the road before hitting the bus. Police say the SUV driver may have lost control while negotiating the curve and had come to the wrong path of the road causing an accident.
Deceased
Manjunatha (35), Poornima (30), Pavan (10) Karthik (8), Sandeep (24) Sujatha (40), Kotresh (45); Gayathri (35), Shravya (3) and Driver Aditya.
Injured
Janardhan (40), Puneeth (05) and Shashikumar.
CM announces to pay 2 lakh ex-gratia
Chief minister Siddaramaiah who said the accident is disturbing has announced a payment of Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of the deceased in the road accident from CM relief fund. The CM speaking to reporters in Bengaluru said he has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru to ensure proper treatment to the injured and make necessary arrangements.

Meanwhile, social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, who represents T Narasipura segment, visited the KR Hospital, Mysuru City, where injured are admitted for treatment.