Bhatkal: A tanker driver who sustained severe burn injuries after his ethanol-laden vehicle overturned and caught fire on NH-52 near Kanchinabagilu in Ankola taluk has died in a Mangaluru hospital.

Muragendraya Mallikarjun (33), a native of Chitradurga, was injured in the April 16 accident while travelling from Nipani towards Mangaluru. The tanker reportedly overturned due to overspeeding, spilling inflammable fuel that triggered a blaze.

He was rescued by bystanders moments before the tanker exploded and was initially taken to Karwar district hospital before being shifted to Mangaluru, where he later succumbed.

Police have updated the case under Section 106 of the BNS, 2023, and further investigation is underway.