Bhatkal: Bus conductor was killed after a branch of tree pierces into the KSRTC Volvo bus at Sagar road, Bhatkal on Thursday night.

The deceased has been identified as Panchayya Matapati, aged 35, hailing from Belgaum.

It is said that KSRTC Volvo bus which belongs to Mangalore reached Bhatkal bus stand at 8:55 PM. After finishing the dinner, driver and conductor took the bus to New KSRTC bus depot located at Sagar road at around 9:30, when the accident happened. On their way to depot, bus collided with a roadside tree when its driver tried to give way for the Auto rickshaw coming from the opposite direction. The impact of collision was such that a branch of tree pierced into the bus which caused severe injuries to the conductor, to which he succumbed on the spot.

The body has been shifted for post mortem at Bhatkal government hospital. As the information was alerted, Mangalore KSRTC deputy commissioner along with other staffs have left for Bhatkal. 

A case stands registered at Bhatkal rural police station and further investigations are underway.