Seven injured in car-pickup collision near Muttalli bypass bridge in Bhatkal

Bhatkal: Seven people were injured in a head-on collision between a car and a pickup vehicle near the Muttalli bypass bridge in Bhatkal taluk.

The car, driven by Misriya, a native of Kerala, was travelling from Kundapur towards Bhatkal. According to the complaint, the car was being driven at high speed and in a negligent manner near the Muttalli bypass bridge when it collided with an oncoming Bolero pickup.

The pickup was being driven by Ravindra Manjappa Naik (43), a resident of Sharada Hole in Shirali. The impact left pickup driver Ravindra Naik and his co-passenger Subraya Krishna Moger injured. Five occupants of the car, identified as Fathima Marwa, Fathima A.A., Afra, Afrid and Rimsa, also sustained injuries. All five are natives of Kerala.

The front portion of the car was completely damaged in the collision, and its airbags were deployed. The airbags are said to have helped prevent more serious injuries to the occupants.

The injured were immediately taken to Bhatkal Government Hospital, where they received first aid. Considering the severity of their injuries, some of them were shifted to a hospital in Kundapur for further treatment, it is learnt.

Pickup driver Ravindra Manjappa Naik has lodged a complaint at Bhatkal Town Police Station. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation.