Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Jun 2: At least nine passengers were injured when a Karnataka State Transport bus traveling from Margao to Kumta rammed into a roadside signboard on the Gulem stretch of NH66 on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred around 6:30 pm, when the bus (registration KA31 F1587) veered left and struck the iron frame of the signboard. The impact caused the signboard to break, and its iron frame pierced the side of the bus, shattering the left-side windows. Shards of glass fell onto passengers, leaving nine injured — two of them seriously.

Authorities said the bus was traveling on a relatively straight section of the highway when the accident took place. A panchanama (preliminary on-site investigation) was conducted by Canacona police, who have sent the bus driver for a medical examination as part of a broader investigation into the cause of the crash.

The injured passengers were initially rushed to the Community Health Centre at Chaudi. Several were later shifted to the South Goa District Hospital in Margao, while two passengers with head injuries were referred to Goa Medical College, Bambolim, for specialized care.

Uninjured passengers continued their journey on another bus to Karwar, authorities said.

Police are expected to file a detailed report on the incident, and further action may follow based on the investigation’s findings.