Tragic Accident on Yelahanka Flyover Claims Two Lives After BMTC Bus Rams Parked Truck

A tragic accident on the Yelahanka flyover in Bengaluru on the night of November 11 has left two people dead after a BMTC Volvo bus collided with a truck that had been parked following a minor crash. The deadly incident, which occurred as the bus was heading towards Kempegowda International Airport, has raised concerns about road safety, visibility issues, and the consequences of negligent driving.

The Accident

The sequence of events that led to the tragedy began when a cement-laden truck, driven by 42-year-old Kuldeep Kumar, collided with an SUV. After the minor collision, the two drivers, Kumar and 40-year-old Jagadish, the SUV driver, parked their vehicles on the Yelahanka flyover and got out to argue. They were standing between the two damaged vehicles when disaster struck.

As the BMTC bus, travelling from Hebbal towards the airport, approached the flyover, it failed to avoid the parked truck due to poor visibility on the dimly lit flyover. The bus, driven by Puttaswamy, crashed into the truck, pushing it forward and tragically crushing the two drivers standing between the vehicles.

Immediate Aftermath

The crash resulted in severe damage to the front of the bus, while traffic on the busy flyover came to a standstill. Yelahanka traffic police struggled to clear the wreckage, and the flyover was temporarily blocked as they worked to move the three vehicles. Tragically, both the truck driver, Kuldeep Kumar, and the SUV driver, Jagadish, were pronounced dead, with Jagadish succumbing to his injuries at the hospital.

The bus driver, Puttaswamy, sustained only minor injuries and was treated at a private hospital. Thankfully, the single passenger on the bus escaped unhurt.

BMTC's Statement

The BMTC quickly responded to the accident, offering a statement on November 12. The corporation confirmed that the two parked vehicles were creating a hazardous situation, as their drivers were involved in a verbal altercation in the dark on a downhill stretch of the flyover. BMTC's statement suggested that the poor visibility, combined with the dangerous positioning of the vehicles, contributed to the driver’s inability to prevent the collision.

According to the BMTC, the bus was operating on the KIA 17/4 route from Rajarajeshwari Nagar to the airport. The bus was from Depot 7 and was carrying one passenger at the time of the incident.

Legal Actions and Investigation

Yelahanka police have registered a case of "death due to negligence" and "rash and negligent driving" against the bus driver, Puttaswamy, who has been taken into custody. The truck and SUV drivers have also been blamed for their role in the incident due to their reckless decision to stop on the flyover and argue between the damaged vehicles.

The police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident and whether other factors, such as road conditions or mechanical failures, contributed to the tragic outcome.