Survivors of the bus accident recalling the terrifying moments say it was sheer luck that saved them. “I am lucky to be alive,” says K. Harita (16), an intermediate second-year student from Mavaturu village, nursing a head injury sustained in the accident.
Haritha, who studies at the Government Junior College at Penukonda, says more than 60 students from her village travel almost 20 km on the ghat road everyday. “In fact, a few of my friends who used to sit on top of the bus on their way to the college were not allowed by the driver to do so today, which eventually saved their lives,” she said, adding that most of them travel sitting atop the often because of the lack of sufficient bus services to Penukonda.
Harita’s father Anjanappa, a farmer, says he will not send his daughter to college until the road is completed and the journey made safer. “Thank god, she was travelling in the morning. If it was night, one would have unknowingly driven straight into the abyss,” he says.
Another survivor Harinath said, “I was sitting next to the driver on the engine cover as the bus was overcrowded with students. Almost 25 of my friends were in the bus along with me. The bus was at a good speed and the auto-rickshaw suddenly seemed to appear on the road. As the driver swerved the bus to the side to evade the auto, he lost control and the bus fell into the gorge with a thud. I got thrown away by the impact.”
Many of those sitting and standing in the front portion of the bus sustained severe injuries as the window panes shattered while some died.
Bengaluru Special Correspondent adds: Sixteen persons, who suffered injuries in an accident involving an APSRTC bus that fell downhill on the Hindupur–Madakasira Ghat Road on Wednesday morning, are being treated in NIMHANS here.
NIMHANS Medical Superintendent V.L. Sateesh told The Hindu that none of them were critical. “All have suffered minor injuries. The bus driver, Gangappa (50), suffered injuries in the head and chest region. We have treated him for head injury and referred him to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) for the chest injury,” he said.
Another passenger Ramanna suffered an injury in the lumbar spine and his treatment would continue in NIMHANS. All others were under observation and would be referred to general hospitals. Some persons had already been discharged, the doctor added.
