While recent Volvo bus accidents have led to concerns about the safety of passengers, in the latest instance, the emergency exit windows in the Volvo bus was not of much help to the passengers.
Passengers who survived the accident told presspersons that they saw emergency exit written at the windows, but could not find the hammer to break the glass pane.
In a panic
As a result, the frightened passengers tried to break whichever window they could get their hands on. While some kicked the glass, a few tried to break it with their fists, and suffered injuries.
Priyaj Kumar Nayak (26) from Mumbai, who was travelling with his friend, Kunal Nayak (21), after holidaying in Bangalore for a few days, recalled the tragedy. He told The Hindu : “I was in seat no. 26 A; I woke up with the sudden jolt and sound. I saw everybody rushing to the front towards the door. I realised that there was no time. I kicked the window glass with my legs and managed to break it. My friend followed me, along with others. There was a person sitting in seat no. 28. But, I could not find him afterwards. I don’t know what happened to him,” he said.
Few of the survivors said they got out of the bus after breaking the windshield.
Jumping off
While many of the survivors suffered minor injuries, four of them who climbed onto the roof of the bus through the roof hatch, suffered fractures as they jumped off the bus to escape the fire.
