19 people killed in two road mishaps

Udupi, May 28 (UNI) At least 19 people were killed, including 17 people of a marriage party and 20 others injured in two different road mishaps in the district today.

Police said that 17 people were killed and 20 others injured, some of them seriously, when a Maxi Cab in which they were traveling collided head-on with a speedy private bus coming in the opposite direction at Muloor, under Kaup police limits in Udupi taluk.

The ill-fated Maxi Cab, carrying the bridegroom and his party belonging into Muslim community from Muloor to Kaup was hit head-on by a Mangalore bound private express bus coming on wrong side.

The deceased included nine women, seven children and the driver of the maxi cab.

The police, who arrived at the spot, had tough time in controlling the onlookers and the had to resort to mild lathi charge to clear the mob. The Maxi-cab was totally damaged in the mishap and bodies of several dead were scattered on the road. Head of a boy was found in the nearby trench while rest of the body remained in the vehicle. However, an infant escaped unhurt miraculously.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh and KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge who are camping for electioneering for June two byelection to Ullal Assembly seat, visited the hospital where the injured have been admitted and enquired about the condition of the patients.

In another incident two riders of a motor bike were killed on the spot at Pollya near Adke, on the outskirts of Mangalore city when a huge tree fell on their bike while riding.

UNI