Chitradurga Crash: How a Driver Reflexes Saved 48 Schoolchildren from the Inferno

New Delhi, December 25, 2025: In a tragedy that has shaken Karnataka on Christmas morning, a horrific collision between a private sleeper bus and a container truck in Chitradurga claimed at least nine lives. However, amidst the devastation at Gorlathu Cross, a remarkable story of survival has emerged: nearly 50 school children, traveling in a bus immediately behind the ill-fated vehicle, escaped entirely unhurt thanks to the split-second reflexes of their driver.

The Highway Inferno: A Dawn of Disaster

The accident occurred around 2:30 AM on Thursday, December 25, 2025, on National Highway 48 (NH-48) in Hiriyur taluk. A private sleeper coach operated by Sea Bird Travels, carrying 32 passengers from Bengaluru to Gokarna, was struck head-on by a container truck.

According to police reports, the truck—traveling from the opposite direction—lost control, jumped the central divider, and slammed into the bus. The impact was so severe that it reportedly punctured the bus’s fuel tank, sparking an immediate and massive inferno. While some passengers managed to leap from the windows, many were trapped inside as flames engulfed the vehicle within seconds.

The Narrow Escape: 48 Children Safe

Directly trailing the private bus was another vehicle: a school bus carrying 48 students from T. Dasarahalli (near Bengaluru) who were on an academic trip to Dandeli.

As the fireball erupted just yards in front of them, the situation could have easily turned into a double tragedy. According to Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Dr. B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda, the school bus actually made minor contact with the burning vehicle but avoided a catastrophic impact.

How the Tragedy was Averted:

• Split-Second Maneuvering: The school bus driver, witnessing the truck jump the divider and the subsequent explosion, reacted instantly. He steered the bus sharply away from the primary crash zone.
• Veering Off-Road: Instead of a full-speed rear-end collision, the driver managed to “brush” the vehicle and veer into the side of the road, preventing the school bus from being swallowed by the spreading flames.
• Controlled Evacuation: All 48 children and their accompanying staff were evacuated safely. Officials confirmed that not a single student sustained even a minor injury.

The school bus driver has now become a critical eyewitness for the police investigation, as he saw the entire sequence of events unfold from a front-row perspective.

Casualties and Compensation

While the children’s safety provides a glimmer of relief, the toll on the private bus remains grim.

• Fatalities: Nine people are confirmed dead, including the truck driver (identified as Kuldeep from Uttar Pradesh). Many of the victims were charred beyond recognition, and authorities are using DNA testing for identification.
• Injuries: Approximately 21 passengers sustained injuries. One survivor, who suffered 20% burns, was rushed to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, while others are being treated in Hiriyur and Tumakuru.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, announcing an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PMNRF. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also ordered a high-level probe into the cause of the accident, citing preliminary findings of negligence by the truck driver.

A Lesson in Highway Safety

The Chitradurga accident highlights the recurring dangers of night travel on high-speed corridors. While the bravery and presence of mind shown by the school bus driver saved 48 young lives, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly negligence on the road can turn a festive morning into a national tragedy.

The students have since been moved to an alternative bus to continue their journey or return home, carrying with them a harrowing story of a Christmas morning they will never forget.