Udupi School Bus Accident: Six Students Injured in NH-66 Lorry Collision
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Udupi Highway Crash: Six Schoolchildren Injured in NH-66 Bus-Lorry Collision
June 19, 2025 | Udupi, Karnataka
UDUPI — A school commute turned into a scene of chaos and panic on Wednesday morning when a school bus carrying children collided with a speeding lorry on National Highway 66 near Dharmavaram Auditorium, Varamballi village. Six students sustained injuries and were rushed for emergency medical care.
The accident, which occurred at approximately 8:45 AM, triggered traffic snarls on the busy Kundapur–Udupi stretch and has reignited concerns about reckless driving and the lack of dedicated school transport corridors.
Udupi School Bus Accident: Six Students Injured in NH-66 Lorry Collision
How It Happened: Morning Routine Turns Dangerous
According to a complaint filed at the Brahmavar Police Station, the school bus—operated by GM Educational Institution—was en route from Kundapur to Udupi, picking up students along the way. The bus was allegedly making a U-turn on a one-way segment of the highway when a lorry approached at high speed from behind and rammed into the right-middle section of the vehicle.
Veena (43), the bus conductor and complainant, was on duty at the time. She reported that the collision occurred while she was helping children settle into their seats.
“It was just another normal morning until the impact came out of nowhere. The crash threw many students off their seats, and the windows exploded from the force,” said Veena, who also sustained minor bruises.
Injured Students Identified
Six students onboard the bus were treated for minor injuries and released after outpatient care. The injured were identified as:
Ritvika
Akanksha
Sanvi
Samiksha
Suviksha
Navami
Doctors confirmed that most injuries were due to glass shrapnel and mild concussive impact, but no life-threatening conditions were reported.
Meanwhile, the lorry driver suffered an internal leg injury and is currently under observation at a private hospital in Brahmavar.
Vehicle Damage & Scene Analysis
Eyewitnesses said the lorry, traveling above the permissible speed limit, made no attempt to brake or swerve. The bus suffered extensive damage to its rear-right wheel section, while multiple side windows shattered, scattering glass shards across the interior.
“It’s a miracle none of the kids were critically injured. The bus body shielded them from a far worse outcome,” said Rajesh Nayak, a local shopkeeper who was among the first to arrive on the scene.
The lorry’s front-left side was crumpled from the impact, suggesting high velocity at the time of contact. No mechanical failures were reported by the lorry’s logistics company so far.
Legal Proceedings & Charges Filed
A case was officially registered at Brahmavar Police Station under:
Section 281 – Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
Section 125(a) – Endangering human life while driving, as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Investigating officers are reviewing traffic camera footage from nearby intersections and are likely to issue summons to both vehicle operators after preliminary inquiries.
A Pattern of Highway Negligence
This incident is the third road collision involving school children in Udupi district since January 2025. Transportation activists have long demanded dedicated U-turn bays, reduced speed limits near educational zones, and enhanced visibility signage on National Highways.
Despite multiple recommendations to the State Transport Authority, implementation has remained sluggish.
“These recurring accidents aren't just incidents—they’re indicators of systemic negligence,” said Mangaluru-based transport safety advocate Sharath Rao.
Parents Demand Safer School Transport Measures
At GM Educational Institution, where the children study, parents gathered in large numbers following the news.
Many demanded immediate action, including:
GPS tracking of school buses
Installation of 360° dashcams and rear collision sensors
Mandatory defensive driving training for all school transport drivers
“We send our kids off trusting the system to protect them. That trust is slowly breaking,” said Usha, mother of one of the injured children.
The school management has promised a full internal review and has agreed to bear the medical expenses of all affected.
Conclusion: Wake-Up Call for Safer Roads
While this incident had no fatalities, the growing frequency of such accidents is an urgent call to overhaul road safety policies—especially where children are involved.
As Udupi continues to grow in population and infrastructure, the lack of enforcement on national highways, particularly during school hours, remains a glaring gap. It is time local and state authorities turn policy into practice—before a minor scare turns into a major tragedy.
