Yellapur, 9 July

Seven people were killed and two others seriously injured after a multi-utility vehicle collided head-on with a lorry in Uttara Kannada district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.

The accident occurred around 1.30am near Balagara Cross in the Arabail Ghat section on NH-52 under the limits of Yellapur Police Station, they said.

The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital before being referred to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi, where they are undergoing treatment, they added.

According to police, the multi-utility vehicle, carrying nine people, including the driver, was proceeding from Dharwad to Dharmasthala and Chikkamagaluru on a leisure trip. Preliminary information indicated that the driver of the vehicle worked as a part-time delivery executive with a food delivery platform.

Police said the driver, Sanjeev, allegedly drove the vehicle at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner, veering to the extreme right side of the road before colliding with an oncoming lorry from Ankola.

The impact left the multi-utility vehicle mangled.

Yellapur police visited the spot, conducted an inspection and shifted the bodies for post-mortem examination.

Based on a complaint lodged by injured survivor Shivaraj, police have registered a case under Sections 281 (Rash or negligent driving on a public way), 125(2) (Act endangering life or personal safety of others – grievous hurt) and 106(1) (Causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway.