KOLAR: Thirteen people were killed, nine on the spot, when a KSRTC bus and a sand-laden lorry collided near Sreerangapura of Mulbagal taluk on National Highway-4 on Monday. Four people died at R L Jalappa Hospital in Kolar.
The KSRTC bus was going to Tirupati from Tumkur via Bangalore while the truck was going to Kolar from Palamner in Andhra Pradesh.
Seventeen people were also injured in the accident that occurred at around 2.45 pm.
Kolar Superintendent of Police Ajay Hilori confirmed thirteen deaths. Police had tough time in clearing the traffic.
Eight of the deceased had been identified till 9 pm.
They are Gangadharaiah (50) KSRTC bus driver of Tumkur, Narayanamma (38) of Bangalore, Vijayamma (55) of Mulbagal, Likith Kumar (2) of Palamner, Nagesh (35) of Kolar, Nagamani (50) Kodihalli, Bangalore, Rajashekar (35) Bangalore, Bharathi Brahamachari (35), Bangalore.
Kolar Deputy Commissioner D K Ravi suspended Mulbagal revenue inspector Krishnappa and village secretary Aswath.
Hilori recommended the suspension of Mulbagal circle inspector Krishnappa and has suspended Nangali sub-inspector Amareesh Gowda for failing to stop illegal sand transportation.
Former Union Minister K H Muniyappa, Central Range Inspector General of Police Syed Ulfath Hussain, KSRTC MD Anjum Pervez, the DC and SP visited the spot and the hospital.
KSRTC has announced a compensation of `2.5 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
Chaos prevailed at the accident spot as villagers and police tried to rescue injured passengers from the bus which completely mangled.
Due to the large crowds and traffic pile-up, police and villagers had a tough time moving the injured in an ambulance for treatment.