Puttur: Car rams into culvert on NH-75, bursts into flames; two escape unhurt

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Jan 31, 2026: A car caught fire after crashing into a roadside culvert near Kanchana Cross at Neerakatte on National Highway 75 on Friday, January 30. The occupants narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal accident.

Four-laning work is currently underway on the highway in the area. While construction of the new highway is in progress alongside the existing road, vehicular traffic has been diverted to the old highway. The car, which was travelling from Hassan towards Uppinangady, reportedly went out of the driver’s control, veered onto the opposite side, and rammed into a culvert constructed as part of the new highway works.

Soon after the impact, flames were seen rising from the engine area, and the vehicle quickly caught fire. A young man and a young woman who were travelling in the car managed to escape with minor injuries.

A fire tender from Puttur rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. However, the front portion of the car was completely gutted by the fire.