Daijiworld Media Network – Jalgaon
Jalgaon, Jun 4: The family of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver Ghanshyam Barkale, who was killed in Tuesday's deadly bus accident in Gujarat's Surat district, said they first came to know about the tragedy through messages circulating on social media before receiving official confirmation hours later.
Barkale, 43, was among the seven people killed in the collision involving two MSRTC buses on National Highway-53 near Bardoli. His cousin, Shrikant Barkale, said the family spent several anxious hours seeking information before depot officials informed them of his death around 6 pm.
“We came across messages about the accident on social media. Nobody knew exactly what had happened. It was only later that officials confirmed Ghanshyam had died,” he said.
Barkale's body was identified shortly after the accident and handed over to relatives late Tuesday night. He was cremated on Wednesday in his native village in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district.
A driver with the Jamner MSRTC depot since 2013, Barkale was the sole breadwinner of his family. He is survived by his parents, wife, a 16-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son.
Relatives said the family owns agricultural land, but the income generated is insufficient to support them. They have sought government assistance, including employment support for his wife.
Meanwhile, several other families are still awaiting the identification of their loved ones. Authorities said some bodies were severely charred in the accident and have been sent for DNA testing. Relatives have already provided samples, but delays in identification have prevented funeral rites from being conducted in several cases.
The accident occurred around 4 pm on Tuesday when a Surat-Dhule MSRTC bus allegedly rammed into the rear of a tractor carrying a water tanker. Officials said the impact caused the driver to lose control, following which the bus crossed the road divider and collided head-on with an oncoming Jamner-Surat bus. The Jamner-Surat bus overturned and fell into a roadside ditch.
All seven fatalities occurred in the Jamner-Surat bus, while around 40 passengers were injured. Twenty-six injured passengers continue to receive treatment at hospitals in Surat and Bardoli.
A preliminary MSRTC inquiry has held the driver of the Surat-Dhule bus responsible for the accident, citing failure to follow traffic regulations. The driver remains hospitalised with multiple injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased passenger and assured free medical treatment for those injured in the accident.