Thirty-four people, most of them students of JSS Academy of Technical Education, were injured when their college bus overturned on Uttarahalli Main Road near Kengeri on Thursday. However, none of them sustained grievous injuries.
The Kengeri police said the bus driver lost control over the vehicle when he was taking a right turn near Channasanda junction. The front windshield was completely shattered while the window panes were reduced to splinters. The students were rushed to BGS Global Hospital. Two of the injured were teaching staff of the college. The driver, Ramesh, received first-aid and was discharged. Varun V.P, a first semester student who sustained injury on his arms, said: “The bus took a right turn at the junction when it suddenly tilted to the left, hit a tree and overturned. Passersby pulled us out of the vehicle.”
B.N. Latha, who teaches Electronics at the college, was among those injured. Speaking to reporters, she said: “There were more than 35 persons in the bus, including six teachers. When the bus swerved unexpectedly, everyone started screaming. The driver immediately turned off the ignition and removed the vehicle key, trying to reduce the impact of the crash. Luckily, there were hardly any vehicles at that time on the road.” She said that the bus had replaced the old bus just 20 days ago.
Vaibhavi S, a third semester student, said: “We have not had any problems before with the driver and in fact, he pulled me out of the bus. Those sitting on the left side of the bus sustained more injuries,” she said.
However, some anxious parents who had come to the hospital said they would be complaining to the college authorities so that such instances are not repeated.
Principal of the college, Mrithyunjaya V. Lathe, who visited the hospital, said transport was outsourced to Vinayaka Travels. He said that the bus had been given a fitness certificate and was in good condition.
Meanwhile, N.K. Venkataramana, vice-chairman and Chief Neurosurgeon of the hospital, said: “Eleven of the injured were examined for orthopaedic and neurological injuries. Except three people who are admitted, the rest were discharged after first-aid.”
The Kengeri traffic police rushed to the spot and seized the vehicle. They said RTO officials are inspecting the vehicle to test whether it was in a good condition. When the driver was questioned by the police, he said that the mishap occurred due to brake failure. Following the accident, there was slow-moving traffic on the Uttarahalli Main Road for at least half an hour.
