49 Injured as NWKRTC Bus Falls into Ditch at Vaddi Ghat Near Ankola
Accident occurred after driver failed to navigate a sharp turn on an alternate route; locals demand urgent road safety measures.
Ankola (Fikrokhabar News): In a major road accident late Saturday night, a North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) bus carrying 49 passengers from Ballari to Kumta veered off the road and fell into a ditch at a steep turn on the Vaddi Ghat near Ankola. All passengers, including the driver, sustained minor injuries, but no fatalities were reported.
Due to ongoing roadwork along the Kumta-Sirsi stretch, vehicles have been barred from using the regular route. As a result, the NWKRTC bus was diverted through the Vaddi Ghat, a narrow and steep stretch known for its treacherous turns.
According to eyewitness accounts, the driver failed to maneuver a sharp bend, causing the bus to topple three times before coming to a halt in a roadside trench. Fortunately, local residents quickly responded and helped rescue the injured passengers.
Victims were transported in private vehicles to hospitals in Ankola and Kumta for medical treatment.
Authorities Inspect Site; Locals Demand Safer Roads
Officials from the Ankola Police and Transport Department arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. During their visit, Zilla Panchayat member G.M. Shetty and local residents voiced concerns about the condition of the Vaddi Ghat road.
They pointed out that the narrow and steep curves make it extremely hazardous for heavy vehicles and urged the authorities to:
- Widen and repair the road
- Install safety barriers
- Put up warning signs
- Restrict larger vehicles on risky stretches
A case has been registered at the Ankola Police Station, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway.
