Bantwal : A chief priest of Lord Ananteshwara temple in Vittal died in a car accident near Vaidyanatha Daivasthana near S V S College here on Thursday February 2.

The deceased person  Kartik Bhat (38), chief priest and astrologer in Vittal. His car plunged off the road and he died on the spot.

He was returning after visiting Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple with family and performing puja there, when the Fortuner car in which he was travelling met with an accident. Reportedly, he was at the wheels at the time.

The car plunged 40 feet down a steep slope near Vaidyanatha Daivasthana. Kartik’s father, Vijay Bhat, mother, Deepa Bhat, and his children, Atharva and Adya, who were also in the car, survived with minor injuries. They are out of danger.

Traffic town polie led by sub-inspector, Chandrashekharaiah, went to the spot, and registered a case.