Bantwal: A bus caught fire after a mishap, with a bike at Bollukal near Mani and claimed life of bike rider  on Thursday, September 17. 

The deceased is Chethan Gowda, a resident of Uppinangady and a JCB operator by profession. He was returning home after work when his bike collided against the bus that was plying from Uppinangady to Mangaluru.

The bike that remained stuck under the bus caught fire as the fuel tank of the bike exploded. Within no time, even the bus flew up in flames. Though Gowda was rushed to hospital in Mangaluru he breathed his last.

Since the passengers had got off the bus on time, major tragedy could be averted.

Fire personnel were rushed to the spit to douse off the fire.