Bhatkal: The early morning hours of Sunday on Bhatkal NH66 witnessed a tragic road accident involving collision between two Auto rickshaws and a car resulting in the death of one woman and injuring other five persons. The mishap took place on Ranginkatte highway near court in Bhatkal.

The deceased woman is identified as Mahadevi Suresh Naik (42) of Shirali, who was boarding in one of the Auto rickshaws. She initially sustained gruesome injuries over his head and was boarded to Manipal. Unable to bear the pain of the wounds, she succumbed on the way. 

The injured victims are auto drivers Nagesh Santamma Naik (50) of Tengingundi and Chandra Naik (33) of Mutalli, auto passenger Bhaskar Nagappa Naik (49) of Shirali, car passengers Ratnamma Munetappa (22) and Kavya Venkatesh (20), residents of Bengaluru.

The accident happened when one of the Auto rickshaw, which was heading to Bhatkal town from Tengingundi was overtaking another autorickshaw which was also going to Bhatkal town from Shirali. At this moment, a car heading towards Murdeshwar from Bengaluru, which was in the opposite direction, lost the control and went on crashing with both the rickshaws. The impact of collision was such that both the rickshaws toppled on the highway and car was seen damaged at the front portion.

Nagesh sustained severe injuries and has been taken to Manipal hospital for advanced treatments. Kavya, who was boarding in car also received major injuries and was rushed to Kundapur for further treatments after providing first aid at Bhatkal government hospital.

There was a gas leakage detected from one of the auto rickshaw in the collision. To avert major tragedy, fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and stopped the gas leakage.

A case has been registered in Bhatkal town police station.