Karnataka: cruiser vehicle collides with truck in Tumakuru, four killed, seven injured

Bengaluru (The Uttam Hindu): A fatal road accident took place early Friday morning in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district, where a cruiser vehicle collided with a truck near the Kora area close to the Vasanthanarasapura Industrial Area. Four pilgrims lost their lives in the crash, while seven others were injured.

According to police, the victims were returning from the Sabarimala pilgrimage in Kerala. A young girl was also among those who died. The accident occurred when the cruiser carrying the pilgrims rammed into a stationary truck.

The deceased have been identified as six-year-old Sakshi, 30-year-old Venkateshappa, 35-year-old Marathappa, and 40-year-old Gavisiddappa.

Police said the group was on its way back after completing the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, and the condition of two of them is reported to be critical. Preliminary investigation revealed that 11 pilgrims were travelling in the cruiser.

The pilgrims had left for Sabarimala on January 5. Devotees from two villages had undertaken the pilgrimage together. Sakshi, a Class 1 student, was visiting Sabarimala for the second time.

The accident occurred around 4:40 am, and all the deceased were residents of Kukanur in Koppal district. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Kora Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Police officials said that initial findings suggest the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. All aspects of the case are being examined, and CCTV footage from the route will also be reviewed.

Officials added that treatment of the injured is ongoing and their statements will be recorded later. Families of the deceased have been informed, and relatives have started arriving.

Earlier, on November 24, 2025, a similar accident was reported from Abbenahalli village in Kolar district, where a car heading to Sabarimala hit the side barrier of a flyover and plunged into an underpass. Four pilgrims died on the spot in that incident. Police said the car was speeding, and the impact caused it to fall nearly 100 metres into the underpass.