Four dead as drowsy Andhra bus driver crashes into truck in Bengaluru

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At least four died, including two children, in a collision between an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus and a truck near Hoskote in Bengaluru Rural in the early hours of Friday.

Sixteen other passengers were injured in the accident that took place near Gottipura village gate between 2 am and 2.30 am on the Kolar-Hoskote National Highway, The Times of India reported. According to the police, the rash and negligent driving of the APSRTC bus driver led to the tragic accident. The bus, bearing registration number AP-03-Z-0190, was transporting passengers from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to Bengaluru City, the report added.

The deceased have been identified as Keshava Reddy (44), Tulasi (21), Pranathi (4), and a one-year-old child. According to a senior police official, the bus collided with the truck from behind as the driver attempted to overtake it. The bus driver is suspected of driving in a drowsy state and was over speeding. All the injured were rushed to a nearby private hospital in Hoskote, out of which two are in critical condition.

The APSRTC bus suffered major damage on its right side, where both the deceased and injured passengers had been seated. Around 10 feet of the front right portion of the bus was destroyed in the collision. Hoskote traffic police have registered a case and are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Soon after receiving information about the mishap, the Bengaluru police rushed to the scene. With help from the locals and commuters, the police shifted the injured passengers to the hospital for treatment and cleared both the bus and the truck from the highway to restore traffic flow.

Senior officials, including Bengaluru District Superintendent of Police CK Baba, visited the accident site and later met doctors at the hospital to assess the condition of the injured. APSRTC authorities have also been informed about the incident and are expected to visit the site for an inspection of the damaged bus and to gather further information.