8 passengers killed, scores hurt
TURA: Tragedy struck a passenger bus bound for Baghmara town from Tura when it plunged into a deep gorge killing eight passengers, including four women, leaving scores of others injured on Monday morning.
The public bus, which was overloaded with passengers, had left Tura town for Baghmara shortly past 6am. As it was entering Baghmara at 9:30 am, the driver tried to give way for another vehicle at Balsrigittim locality but lost control and plunged into a thirty meter gorge.
Four persons were killed on the spot and another three succumbed to their injuries shortly after at Baghmara civil hospital while 35 others sustained injuries.
Three other passengers who were in critical condition were being shifted to Tura civil hospital when one of them, Euthilbirth Sangma, a former NRHM worker, passed away at Sibbari during the journey raising the death toll to eight.
Among the 32 other passengers who sustained injuries three have been admitted to Baghmara hospital while the rest were administered first aid and discharged, informed doctors from Baghmara hospital. Some of the injured have complained to police that the bus was overloaded with passengers both inside and on its roof and many of those who were seated on top were able to jump to safety while those inside were not so lucky.
The driver of the ill-fated bus, April M Marak of Balikimgre village, under Sangknigre (Chokpot) has been arrested.
The eight passengers who lost their lives have been identified as Persunath M Marak (75) of Eringgre, Bodresh Sangma (60) of Rasnagre, Robinath M Sangma (30) of Namiksikgre, Euthilbirth Sangma (27) of Kapasipara, Ms. Enila R Marak (38) of Eringre, Ms. Jasbina M Sangma (25) of Namiksikgre, Ms. Banila Ch Sangma (30) of Namiksikgre, and Ms. Wisbon M Sangma (20) of Wa’amisenggre village.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, meanwhile, has condoled the death of the passengers while extending his wishes for a speedy recovery of the injured.
“Government will initiate an inquiry into the incident and also will draw up certain specific regulations to keep such instances of rule violations at check,” he said.