Five people were killed and four others injured in a highway crash near Koppal district early Saturday. A goods truck crossed the median on National Highway 63 and collided head-on with their van, police said.
The crash occurred around 1.30 am near Bhanapur in Kukanoor taluk. The victims were travelling in an Omni van from Kabbar village in Haveri district to Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt via Koppal.
The deceased were identified as Kenchamma Balekayi, 35, Amrutha Kotyal, 25, Ramesh Ballari, 45, Chinmay, 16, and Praveen Shivaji Balekayi. All were residents of Kabbar village in Haveri district.
The injured were identified as Samarth Yadav, Sonali, Praveen Kotyal, and Pranav, all below the age of 40. They were admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment.
A case has been registered against the truck driver, Ramesh, 40. Investigators said preliminary findings indicate that the truck crossing the divider was the primary cause of the collision.
The deaths have left Kabbar village in mourning, with relatives and residents urging the district administration to provide compensation and assistance to the affected families.
