Puttur: Several passengers of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) sleeper-bus escaped with minor injuries after the bus overturned near Kadaba Cross, which is over 50 kms from Mangaluru. The Udupi-bound KSRTC bus had 32 passengers coming from Bengaluru.

It’s learnt that the KSRTC bus was behind a private bus which suddenly stopped near Kadaba cross. In order to avoid hitting the private bus, the KSRTC bus driver turned to the left. The bus then fell into a gorge by the river-side.

The bus overturned and fell on a tree that reduced the impact of the fall. Around 15 passengers had minor injuries and have been admitted to private hospitals in Puttur and Mangaluru, sources said.

The injured have been identified as Prakash, Vishwas, Sarojamma, Smitha, Ratnamma, Raghunath Nayak, Vinodkumar, Benedicta D’Souza and Babanna Nayak. They have been admitted to Puttur hospital.

The Puttur Traffic police have registered a case.