One killed, 50 injured in bus mishap

Kolkata: One person was killed and as many as 50 others have been injured after the bus they were travelling in hit the guard wall of Mudia bridge over Hinglo River in Birbhum.

It was difficult for the police and local administration to rescue the victims as the bus was hanging from the bridge. All the 50 injured persons were later rescued and initially rushed to Nakhrakonda Block Health Centre in Khoyrasol block of Birbhum for treatment.

Among the injured, 35 passengers were shifted to Suri District Hospital as their condition deteriorated. Around 25 passengers are stated to be in serious condition.

Police said that a private bus of Suri-Khoyrasol route was moving at high speed. When it was passing across the bridge, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it hit against the railing. The bus remained in a hanging position.

Local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the accident but they failed to remove the passengers as there was a possibility that the bus might fall into the river. A major tragedy might have taken place if the bus had fallen into the river, the local people said.

Police and a rescue team rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation. They also ensured that the bus did not fall into the river during the rescue operation. Local people told police that the driver was over-speeding the vehicle.

According to the police, the bus was also very crowded as many of the buses of the same route remained off duty on Wednesday.