By The News Observer Desk,
Haliyal (Uttara Kannada) :
A major tragedy was narrowly avoided on Monday when a speeding lorry lost control and overturned into an agricultural field near Kesrolli Cross in Haliyal taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Although the vehicle suffered extensive damage, there were no fatalities reported in the incident.
According to police sources, the lorry was transporting eucalyptus logs from Bagalkote to the West Coast Paper Mill in Dandeli when the accident occurred at a dangerous curve on the Haliyal stretch. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver failed to negotiate the sharp bend due to excessive speed, causing the heavy vehicle to veer off the road and roll into the adjacent field.
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“The lorry was being driven at high speed, and the driver appears to have misjudged the turn, resulting in the vehicle overturning,” a senior police official said. The impact caused severe damage to the lorry, with logs scattered across the field.
The driver, identified as Parashurappa, sustained injuries in the mishap. Local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue him before shifting him to a nearby hospital for treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed that his condition is stable and he is currently under medical observation.
Officials from the Haliyal police station reached the accident site promptly and carried out an inspection. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, and further investigation is underway to determine whether factors such as mechanical failure or road conditions contributed to the incident.
The accident has once again highlighted safety concerns on this stretch of road, which locals say has witnessed multiple mishaps in the past. Residents have demanded urgent measures, including the installation of warning signboards, speed breakers, and improved road safety infrastructure.
“This curve is extremely dangerous, and accidents keep happening here. Authorities must act before lives are lost,” said a local farmer.
District officials have taken note of the concerns and assured that the matter will be reviewed in coordination with the Public Works Department. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by reckless driving, especially on rural and accident-prone roads.
Reporting and Videography by Saikiran Babrekar
