Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (DV)
Kasargod, Jan 3: Seven people died and 50 others were injured after a bus on its way to wedding function toppled near Panathur here on Sunday, January 3.
As the road was narrow and since the driver had no knowledge of the terrain he lost control of the bus, which resulted in the mishap, it is gathered.
The deceased include Shreyas (13), Adarsh (12), Ravichandra (40), Rajesh (45), Sumati (50), Jayalakshmi (39) and Shashi (32). The mortal remains of Adarsh is kept in the district hospital at Kanhangad while that of others is kept in the mortuary of Panathady Poonamkallu taluk hospital.
It is said that bus was ferrying people to a marriage function scheduled at Karike in Kodagu via Kallapalli of Panathur. The incident reported Gadiguddi Periyaram. It is said that there were 70 passengers in the bus.
The injured have been shifted hospitals in Kanhangad and Palathaddi in Kasargod district.
The Kerala government has ordered an inquiry into the accident. District collector (DC) Dr D Sajith Babu said that responsibility of the investigation is given to deputy DC of Kanhangad. State transport minister A K Shashindran had asked the transport department to give a report on the incident immediately.
The DC also said that KSRTC buses are arranged to take passengers who have minor injuries to their homes after providing first aid. He also informed that order is given to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to their respective houses by evening on Sunday, January 3.
The condition of 11 people is serious. Thirteen people are admitted to hospital in Mangaluru and rest are admitted to Kasargod district hospital.