Mysuru, 16 Oct (H.S.): Four people, including three Malayalis, were killed and around 15 others injured when a sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Kozhikode collided with a lorry at Periyapatna near Mysuru in Karnataka in the early hours.

The accident occurred around 3.45 am while the bus, carrying approximately 30 people, was heading towards Kozhikode. Eight of the injured were reported to be in a serious condition.

The deceased were identified as bus driver Sunil, a native of Mysuru; bus cleaner Suhail, a Malayali; Sajesh from Mankavu in Kozhikode; and Aftab from Beypore. The bodies of all four were taken to a hospital in Periyapatna.

Around 15 injured people were admitted to hospitals in Periyapatna and Mysuru for treatment. Preliminary reports indicated that eight had sustained serious injuries, though further details about their condition were not immediately available.

According to eyewitness accounts, the bus and the lorry were travelling in the same direction when the collision occurred. The lorry allegedly swerved suddenly to the left, leading to the accident.

Witnesses attributed the collision to negligence on the part of the lorry driver. However, the precise sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the crash remained to be established.

The account of the lorry’s sudden movement was based on preliminary information and eyewitness statements. An official finding on the cause of the collision was not available in the initial reports.

The three Malayalis who died included two men from the Kozhikode area and a member of the bus crew. Suhail’s hometown and further personal details of the victims were not immediately available.

The casualties reported so far comprise four deaths and around 15 injured people. With eight of the injured reportedly in a serious condition, further updates from the hospitals were awaited to establish the full extent of injuries sustained in the collision.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman