Mangled remains of the truck and the tractor after the crash
Belagavi : A festive journey to bring a Durga Mata idol to a village turned tragic early Sunday when a speeding truck allegedly rammed a tractor on Pune-Bengaluru National Highway-48 near Managutti village in Hukkeri taluk. The deceased were identified as Prakash Wasedar, 28, Danappa Jaganure, 26, and Shivappa Khanapure, 30, all residents of Hanchyanatti.
The accident occurred around 6am when the truck, approaching from behind, allegedly rammed the tractor at high speed, according to police. Three youths were killed and more than eight people injured in the accident. The victims were travelling from Belagavi city to Hanchyanatti village to participate in the installation of the idol as part of Navaratri celebrations. They were returning in a tractor carrying the idol, amid religious slogans and festivities, when tragedy struck. The impact badly damaged the tractor and threw several occupants onto the road. Two of the injured are stated to be critical. The injured were identified as Akash Yaragatti, Shivanand Jaganure, Sunil Suresh Labbi, Sunil Shankar Labbi, Umesh Hanji, Mallikarjun Sankeshwari and Nandesh Dangi.
One of the injured said around 20 people were travelling in the tractor when the truck hit it from behind. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. They were shifted to Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital and nearby private hospitals for treatment. Three died on the spot, while two sustained critical injuries. The others suffered minor injuries and are undergoing treatment. The tragedy cast a pall of gloom over Hanchyanatti, where residents had been preparing to welcome the idol and celebrate Navaratri. Yamakanmaradi police personnel visited the spot and inspected the accident site. The damaged vehicles were removed to restore traffic on the highway. Police have registered a case and further investigation is under way. Download the TOI App.