Four Killed, Several Injured in Koppal Truck-Van Collision

Four Mantralayam pilgrims were killed and several others, including four children, were injured after a truck crossed the road median and collided head-on with a van in this district in Karnataka early on Saturday, police said.According to the police, the accident occurred on National Highway-63 near Bhanapur in Kukanoor Taluk. 

The victims, all residents of Kabbar village in Rattihalli taluk of Haveri district, were on a pilgrimage to Mantralayam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh when the accident



occurred. 

According to police, the truck allegedly went out of control, crossed the divider and rammed into the oncoming van, resulting in the fatal crash.

The deceased were identified as Kenchamma Balekayi (35), Amrutha Kotyal (25), Ramesh Ballari (45) and Praveen (23). 

Several occupants of the van sustained injuries in the accident. Police said four children were among the injured and two of the victims were in critical condition. The injured were shifted to the Koppal District Hospital.