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Kundapur: Three persons were killed and more than 40 students injured after a college tour bus rammed into a stationary lorry and tanker on National Highway 66 near Trasi–Maravanthe Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as bus conductor Ranganath, a resident of Gonibeedu in Bhadravati, cooking assistant Hemanth (19), also from Gonibeedu, who died on the spot, and second driver Raghu alias Umesh (34) from Santekadur, who died while being shifted to hospital.

The bus was carrying final-year BCom students of Srimad Rambhapuri Arts and Commerce College located in Shankaraghatta under Kuvempu University in Shivamogga district. The group had left for an educational tour on April 26. A total of 58 people were travelling in the bus, including 25 male students, 22 female students, four lecturers, one child, two drivers, one conductor, a cook and two helpers.

After completing visits to Honnavar and Murdeshwar, the group had reached Maravanthe and was heading towards Udupi after stopping near Maraswami for a beach visit. The accident occurred barely 500 metres from Maravanthe.

The front portion of the bus was completely crushed and the left side was also damaged. Most of the passengers sustained minor injuries, while some were seriously injured. The injured were admitted to various hospitals in Kundapur.

MP visits injured

Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary visited a private hospital in Kundapur and met the injured students. Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole and Taluk Health Officer Dr Premanand were present.

MLA joins rescue efforts

MLA Gururaj Gantihole, who was passing through the same route shortly after the accident, joined the rescue operation. He entered the bus to help evacuate injured students trapped between the lorry and tanker. Local residents and ambulance drivers also assisted in shifting the injured to hospitals.

Police visit spot

District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar visited the accident site. Kundapur DySP H D Kulkarni, Byndoor Circle Inspector Shivakumar, Sub-Inspectors Pavan Naik and Sudarshan, along with police personnel, were present.

A case has been registered at Gangolli police station. Preliminary reports indicate that overspeeding and negligent driving by the bus driver Manjunath may have caused the accident.

Possible tyre burst or mechanical issue

While initial observations point to rash driving, questions have been raised about how the moving bus collided with parked vehicles. There is suspicion that the rear left tyre may have burst or the steering could have jammed. Officials said the exact cause will be known only after investigation.

Concerns over roadside parking

There have been long-standing complaints against parking of vehicles, including heavy trucks, along both sides of the Trasi–Maravanthe Beach stretch. Locals say such parking obstructs views and increases accident risks. There is no dedicated parking space for tourist vehicles, and a rest area at Mullikatte meant for heavy vehicles has not been opened for years.

Investigation underway

SP Hariram Shankar said that both the lorry and tanker were parked by the roadside and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. CCTV footage will be collected and examined from all angles, including the possibility of overspeeding or technical faults in the bus.

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary stated that though three persons have died, all the students are safe. He said medical teams have been deployed and assistance will be provided in case of treatment expenses after discussion with the government.

MLA Gururaj Gantihole said all students are out of danger and that officials, police and locals acted quickly to shift the injured. He added that families of the students have been informed and MP Raghavendra also spoke over the phone regarding the incident.