Haveri, May 5 -- A major tragedy was averted after the quick reflexes of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) driver helped save 17 passengers when a moving bus caught fire on a highway in Haveri district on Tuesday.
The "Pallakki" bus, travelling from Bengaluru to Gadag, burst into flames near Devarudda village in Ranebennur taluk, triggering panic among passengers.
Officials said driver Pakkirappa noticed smoke and flames emerging from the vehicle while it was still in motion. Displaying presence of mind, he immediately pulled the bus over and evacuated all passengers to safety.
Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the entire vehicle, reducing it to a charred shell, eyewitnesses said.
Police and fire pe...