A tragic road accident in the early hours of Saturday claimed three lives and left six others critically injured when an Innova traveling from Bengaluru to Mangaluru lost control near the Narayana Guru Circle at BC Road in Bantwal, around 20 km from Mangaluru. According to police, the vehicle veered off course while navigating the busy NH-75 stretch and rammed into the circle with severe impact, instantly turning the family trip into a devastating tragedy.

Among the nine passengers, three Bengaluru residents—Ravi (64), Nanjamma (75), and Ramya (23)—died due to the injuries sustained in the crash. The remaining six victims, identified as Sushila, Keerthi Kumar, Kiran, Bindu, Prashanth, and the driver Subrahmanya, were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain under critical care. Police officials stated that the victims were all members of the same family who were traveling together for a personal visit.

The Bantwal Traffic Police have registered a case under Sections 281, 125A, and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials are examining whether speeding, driver fatigue, or mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Meanwhile, authorities have urged commuters on NH-75 to exercise extra caution due to the increasing number of serious accidents reported on the route in recent months.