Team Mangalorean - Suburban

Mangalore: A bus plying between Bajpe and Kaikamba was involved in a head-on collision with a Maruti Omni van on Saturday around 9-30 am, as a result of which the man at the wheel and other passengers in the van were severely injured. The mishap occurred at Kajepadavu of Kolambe village.

Rajesh and Chennakeshava, said to be from Tekkatte in Kundapur, were on their way to the airport to catch a flight to Mumbai, where from they were to fly to Dubai. They left home early in the morning and on the way had visited relatives in Moodbidri and then after visiting the Thousand-pillared Basadi they were arriving towards the airport.

Sunil, who drove the Omni van, is said to be in a critical condition. Girija Shetty has had a fracture in her leg. Jyoti Shetty, Jayanti Shetty and children Rahul and Raghavendra have sustained minor injuries.

The front portion of the van was badly smashed. The residents came to their assistance and with much effort pulled the driver out of the mangled body of the vehicle.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe police station.