Kushalnagar (Kodagu): Two drivers of two KSRTC buses were killed on the spot and more than 15 passengers were injured when the buses collided head-on near Shanthagiri Estate close to Suntikoppa this morning. The impact of the accident was such that the front portion of the buses was mangled and the bodies had to be extricated by bending and cutting the heavy metal.

The accident occurred at around 11.30 am and the deceased drivers have been identified as 52-year-old Palaksha and 54-year-old Moideen Sharief. Five among the injured are said to be critical and they have been rushed to the District Hospital at Madikeri.

Eyewitnesses and passengers said that the collision took place when one of the buses tried to overtake a lorry that was moving ahead at a curved stretch of the road. While one bus (KA 19/F 3240) was heading to Mysuru from Madikeri, the other bus (KA 09/F 4989) was going to Madikeri from Mysuru.

Passengers said that both the buses were speeding and one of the drivers did not see the bus coming from the opposite side while overtaking the lorry. Added, the accident spot was a curve.

Traffic on the ever-busy Mysuru- Madikeri Road (NH-275) was disrupted for some time following the mishap. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded and some vehicles proceeding towards Madikeri shifted the injured to the hospital.