The charred remains of the private sleeper bus that caught fire following a collision with a truck, in Chitradurga district of Karnataka, early on December 25, 2025.
The driver of a private bus, whose timely judgement saved the lives of schoolchildren en route to Dandeli in Karnataka for a study tour, has received appreciation from local people. The driver witnessed the accident in which a truck hit a private sleeper and claimed several lives in Chitradurga district on December 25.
Sachin, a native of Holenarasipur in Hassan district, was driving the bus carrying 43 children from a private school in T. Dasarahalli in Bengaluru.
“The sleeper bus overtook me. My bus was a few feet behind when a truck from the opposite direction crossed over the divider and hit the sleeper bus. Due to the impact, the sleeper bus swerved left, and and hit my bus. I moved off the road, crossed the fencing and parked my bus on the service road. All the children in my bus are safe,” Sachin told The Hindu.
Sachin sustained a minor head injury. The bus owner arranged an alternative bus for the school trip. All the students continued with their trip to Dandeli.
“The driver deserves appreciation for his skills. He managed the situation well, and ensured the safety of the schoolchildren,” said Kariyanna, a resident of Javanagondanahalli.
Published – December 25, 2025 02:27 pm IST
