Initial probe hints at driver’s negligence

The driver’s attention was distracted when he opened the window next to his seat when the bus was on the move.

Distraught family members of P. Lakshmi and P. Reshma in Machilipatnam on Tuesday. Photo: V. Raju

Preliminary inquiry into the Karmala bus accident, in which eight persons from Machilipatnam were killed, pointed to the driver’s negligence as one of the main reasons behind the mishap. The Karmala police arrested the driver and are investigating the case, officials said.

The accident occurred at Karmala near Temburni in Solapur district in Maharashtra in the wee hours of Tuesday and according to information provided by the local police. The driver’s attention was distracted as he opened the window next to his seat when the bus was on the move.

In the process, he lost control of the vehicle, and it hit the culvert, a senior Transport Department official said.

The private Non-AC bus (bearing AP21X 0408 registration number) is owned and operated by Maganti Srinivasa Rao, a resident of Penamaluru in Krishna district. Mr. Rao had applied for a tourist permit for conducting services to places including Yadagirigutta, Basar, Shirdi, Nasik and Triambhakeshwar September 27 to October 9.

The bus had mandatory documents such as fitness certificate and authorised permits and was hired by one of the passengers, Nukala Jaganmohan Rao, a resident of Chilakalapudi in Machilipatnam.

Seating capacity

The vehicle had a seating capacity of 40, but 49 passengers, including children, were on board at the time of the accident, the official said.

Since the Karmala police have registered a case against the driver, they will submit a final report, following which the driver will be produced in the local court.