TUMAKURU: A devastating road accident on the National Highway near Kora in Tumakuru district claimed the lives of four people, including a young girl, in the early hours of Friday, January 9, 2026. The tragedy occurred when a Cruiser vehicle carrying devotees returning from Sabarimala rammed into a stationary lorry parked on the roadside.

The Victims

The deceased have been identified as:

• Sakshi, 7 years old

• Marutappa, 45

• Venkatesh, 30

• Gavisiddappa, 28

All victims were residents of Kukanoor, Gadigeri Tanda, and Kakkihalli Tanda in the Koppal district. Several others, including Sakshi’s father Huligappa (32), sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the Tumakuru District Hospital. Three of the critically injured have been shifted to Bengaluru for advanced care.

A Journey Ended in Grief

The victims were part of a larger group of over 50 devotees who had traveled to Sabarimala in five Cruiser vehicles. After completing their pilgrimage and visiting Palani, they were heading back to their hometowns in Koppal.

The accident occurred while most passengers were asleep. The impact was so severe that the Cruiser was completely mangled, and rescue workers struggled to retrieve the bodies and the injured from the wreckage.

Negligence and Safety Concerns

Preliminary investigations suggest a combination of driver fatigue and safety violations led to the crash. Tumakuru District Superintendent of Police, K.V. Ashok, stated that the Cruiser driver appeared to be drowsy at the wheel. Additionally, the lorry was parked on the highway without any hazard lights or blinking indicators, a recurring issue that has turned this stretch of the highway into a “death trap.”

Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of highway patrolling, noting that heavy vehicles often park on the roadside for days without safety markers, posing a constant threat to nighttime travelers.

Heartbreaking Scenes at the Hospital

The atmosphere at the Tumakuru District Hospital morgue was somber as grieving family members arrived to claim the bodies. In a heart-wrenching moment, Sakshi’s father, Huligappa—who was also injured—pleaded with doctors to “check again,” unable to accept that his young daughter had passed away. “She was sleeping right next to me. I don’t know what happened,” he cried.

Police have registered a case against both the Cruiser driver and the lorry driver for negligence.