37 killed as bus plunges into Gujarat river

About 37 people were killed and 24 were injured when a state transport bus in which they were travelling plunged from a bridge into Purna river in Navsari district of South Gujarat on Friday, police said.

“Thirty seven people have died in the incident, while 24 others are injured when a bus fell from a 20 feet high bridge on Purna river,” Navsari Superintendent of Police M S Bharada said.

Though police are investigating the cause of the mishap, some survivors and eye-witnesses said the bus driver lost control of the vehicle when it was passing the bridge and it hurtled down into the river after breaking iron railings. The SP said the condition of four out of the 24 injured passengers was serious.

“The injured have been shifted to four hospitals in Navsari. We are also checking the possibility of shifting those who are seriously injured to hospitals in Surat if needed,” the officer said. The GSRTC bus was headed towards Ukai when the accident took place near the village, situated around 12 kms away from the district headquarters.