By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident in Uttara Kannada district that claimed seven lives. Calling the incident “deeply saddening,” he extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
“The mishap in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post.
The accident occurred early Thursday morning near Arabail Ghat in Yellapur taluk, where a Cruiser vehicle collided head-on with a truck near Balagar. The impact was so severe that the vehicle was completely mangled, killing several occupants on the spot. According to police, the victims were among a group of nine friends from Dharwad who had set out on a road trip to coastal tourist destinations such as Gokarna and Murudeshwar. They had reportedly left Dharwad the previous night.
The deceased have been identified as Sanjeev Mailar Angadi (33), who was driving the vehicle, along with Akshay Tejappa Muralvar, Abhishek Eshwar, Abhishek Mallesh Madabavi, Basappa Devappa Kanakanavar, and Manjunath Chulaki. Another victim, Sachin, who had sustained critical injuries, later died at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi. Two others — Shivaraj Gurappa Madivalar and Channabasayya Sampagaon — remain seriously injured and are undergoing treatment. Preliminary investigations indicate that over speeding and negligent driving may have led to the collision. The truck was reportedly travelling from Yellapur towards Ankola at the time of the accident.
Local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the crash and helped rescue the injured, shifting them to nearby hospitals. Senior district officials, including Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmipriya, Zilla Panchayat CEO Dileesh Shashi, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N., DYSP Geeta Patil, and other police personnel, visited the site to assess the situation.
MLA Shivaram Hebbar also visited the taluk hospital and paid his last respects to the deceased. Describing the incident as extremely unfortunate, he conveyed his condolences to the families and prayed for strength to help them endure the loss.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.
