Karkala: An annual school excursion turned tragic when a teacher died and 20 students sustained injuries after the maxicab in which they were travelling went down a gorge at Mala SK Border here on Thursday December 24 evening.

The students of Bendalagatti School, Dharwad, had left for a excursion on Wednesday morning to visit Gokarna, Udupi, Sringeri and Dharmasthala.

On reaching near SK Border, the driver lost control and the maxcab plunged down a gorge. As a result a teacher named Durgi (35) was killed in the accident.

The driver who was seriously injured has been admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru for advanced treatment. About 20 students sustained minor injuries.

Passersby and locals helped in shifting the injured to hospitals. Karkala rural police have registered a case.