A horrifying road accident unfolded in Karnataka's Mandya district when a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus collided with a tractor carrying construction materials, resulting in the death of the bus driver.
The incident took place on a stretch in Nagamangala taluk, where the KSRTC bus reportedly struck the rear of a tractor that was transporting iron rods and bars. The force of the impact pushed the heavy metal rods forward, causing them to pierce through the body of the bus. The driver of the bus sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said the bus appeared to have hit the tractor at speed, though the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation. Some locals suggested the tractor may have been moving slowly or had stopped unexpectedly on the highway, but no official statement has been released by traffic police confirming these claims.
The tractor was reportedly carrying iron rods intended for a construction project. Rescue workers and local residents rushed to the site after the crash. Passengers on the bus were reportedly shaken but not seriously injured, according to initial reports. Many managed to free themselves from the damaged vehicle.
A KSRTC official confirmed the fatal accident and stated that an inquiry has been ordered. The corporation expressed sorrow over the loss of one of its employees and promised to provide support to the driver's family. A special inquiry team has been constituted to examine whether the bus driver was speeding or犯了 any traffic rule violations.
Road safety advocates have repeatedly flagged the dangers posed by slow-moving heavy vehicles like tractors on highways, especially during nighttime when visibility is poor. The Nagamangala-Mandya stretch has seen several accidents in recent years due to inadequate street lighting and poorly maintained road conditions.
The body of the deceased bus driver was shifted to the nearby hospital for a postmortem, while the tractor driver has yet to be identified by authorities.
