Bhatkal: A speeding car collided with an under-construction divider on National Highway 66 in Bhatkal, opposite the Bhatkal JMFC Court, on Friday night around 11 o'clock.

Four passengers, including two women, were traveling in the car en route from Kundapur to Murdeshwar, passing through Bhatkal Gulmi. Despite severe damage to the front part of the car due to the impact of the accident, all passengers miraculously escaped unharmed.

Munifa Bano (18) and Zubaida Banu (40), who were in the car, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Bhatkal Government Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the car's driver, Umar Tauseef, and another passenger, Ibrahim, were safe. Speaking to Sahil Online, Ibrahim highlighted the lack of visibility on the National Highway, particularly near the court where the divider is under construction. He pointed out the absence of signboards, directional boards, and lighting, which contributed to the accident. He credited the car's airbags for preventing serious injuries to the occupants.

The accident immediately attracted a crowd at the scene. Locals echoed Ibrahim's concerns about the absence of warning signs or directional boards regarding the construction work and the under-construction divider. They noted that repeated accidents had occurred in the past two to three nights, mainly involving scooters and bikes colliding with the divider, leading to injuries due to the negligence of the highway construction company, IRB. The recent car collision has brought heightened attention to these issues. Eyewitnesses were relieved that the car's airbags deployed swiftly, potentially saving lives.

Subsequently, when IRB's crane arrived to remove the car stuck in the divider, the presence of the police did little to calm the situation. The gathered public, demanding accountability, prevented the crane from operating, insisting that an IRB company officer or engineer personally visit the site. They vowed to keep the car in place until someone assessed the negligence of the company firsthand. The crowd warned the police that they would block the highway if the IRB officer did not appear.

As of the time this report was compiled, a large number of people remained at the accident site until around one o'clock in the morning, firmly resisting efforts to remove the car.