In a tragic road accident in Bengaluru on Monday, four people were killed and another eight persons suffered serious injuries after the auto rickshaw they were travelling in, was hit head-on by a bus. 

The accident took place at Vishwanathapura on the Devanahalli-Doddaballapur stretch of National Highway-207.

Deccan Herald reported that the four deceased have been identified as Haseena Taj (35), her daughters Sadia (8) and Saniya (17), and their neighbour, Zoya (5). All the four were part of two families who were residents of Bitappanahlli in Hoskote taluk of greater Bengaluru.

A policeman who reached the spot said the accident occurred as the axle of the auto rickshaw broke down.

“As the axle broke, the auto with 12 persons aboard veered to its right and collided head on with a private bus coming from the opposite direction. Passersby rushed the injured to hospital, where doctors declared four of them dead,” Ram Nivas Sepat, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural told The Times of India.

Police said the auto was heading towards Devanahalli as they were returning from the DC’s office when a speeding bus heading towards -Doddaballapur hit them after the driver lost control of the vehicle. The two families had gone to the DC’s office to update their Aadhaar cards but were told to return on Tuesday for the same.

All the four were dead on the spot due to the impact of the collision while the eight injured were rushed to Devanahalli government hospital after passers-by called for an ambulance.

Vishwanathapura Police have registered a case of accidental death and booked the bus driver, who is presently absconding, for negligent and rash driving. A manhunt for the driver has been launched.