Hospet: 7 of a family killed in tragic road mishap

Seven people, including three women and a child, were killed when a truck collided head-on with a car, which then got struck by another lorry coming from behind as well, near Gunda forest on the National Highway in Vijayanagara district on Monday evening, police said.

Police sources said the truck was coming from Chitradurga towards Hospet, when its steering wheel broke off and the vehicle ran on the opposite side road.

Just then, an SUV was coming from Harapanahalli towards Hospet. The out-of-control truck collided with that car, which then overturned. A tipper lorry coming from behind too collided with the same car, killing all seven people sitting inside it, police said.

The victims have been identified as Gonibasappa (65), Bimalinga (50), Yuvaraja (4), Anil (30), Bhagya (32), Kenchavva (80), and Uma (45).

All the deceased are from Ukkadakeri of Hospet, police said, adding that they had been visiting the Koolalli temple in Harpanahalli taluk.

The drivers of both lorries were injured in the incident and have been admitted to Hospet Government Hospital.

Gonibasappa, who had undertaken the trip to oversee a religious ritual of his grandson, was among those who lost their lives. The accident also left a child named Vinay (3) critically injured. Vinay has been promptly admitted to Koppal Hospital for urgent medical attention.

MLA H.R. Gaviyappa visited the site to offer his condolences to the grieving family members.

(With PTI inputs)