AT LEAST six persons, including a child were killed when a speeding truck crashed against a luxury sleeper bus that caught fire under the impact in this district in the wee hours of Thursday, a senior police official said. While the East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikan the Gowda had earlier said nine people were killed, citing preliminary investigation, later he and the district police chief said that five persons lost their lives. It later emerged that a child was among those killed in the accident.

 

“With this, the number of people killed in this accident is six,” Superintendent of Police, Ranjith Kumar Bandaru, told reporters in Chitradurga. According to Gowda, three others whose identity was not known might have saved their lives by jumping out of the bus. Five passengers of the bus and the driver of the truck were killed in the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled the deaths. Both announced exgratia to the next of kin of the deceased.

 

Siddara maiah also said a proper probe would be conducted into the fatal accident. The accident happened after the container truck jumped a road divider and collided with the oncoming bus, Gowda told reporters. The bus with 32occupants was on its way from Bengaluru to Gokarna. The vehicle was engulfed in flames under the impact of the collision and most of the deceased were burnt alive inside the bus at Golarthi in Hiriyur Taluk, he added. The bus driver and cleaner escaped.

 

“Asper the investigation so far, it (container lorry)directly hit the diesel tank (of the bus), leading to diesel tank leak and fire,” Gowda said. According to police sources, three friends were among the survivors. Two other passengers saved their lives by jumping from the vehicle.