Giridih, Mrinal Sinha : An air-conditioned luxurious bus coming from Ranchi to Giridih went uncontrolled near Pirtand of Giridih-Dumri main road here on Saturday night around nine o’clock and fell into the river after falling down from the bridge. So far four people have been confirmed dead. While at least 23 passengers are said to be injured. The rescue work was going on till late night. The number of casualties may increase. As soon as the information about the incident was received, the injured were sent to the hospital with the help of local people, police and passers-by. The dead include Manik Chandra Saav, Santosh Gupta, the driver of the bus and another youth. Whose identity has not been established yet. The death occurred during treatment at the city’s Navjeevan Nursing Home. This has been confirmed by DC Naman Priyesh Lakda. Two of the dead are residents of Giridih. The Deputy Commissioner has confirmed the injuries to 20 passengers. Among the injured, 11 are being treated at Sadar Hospital, eight at Navjeevan and four at Govardhanlal Nursing Home.
After the accident, many lives were saved with the help of devotees returning from Babadham and people around Barakar. As soon as the accident happened, dozens of devotees returning from Babadham entered the river and got involved in taking people out of the bus. Minor trapped people were immediately taken out. On information, BJP State President Babulal Marandi also reached the spot and spoke to the Deputy Commissioner. Many officials including Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi, MLA Sudivya Kumar Sonu, DC Naman Priyesh Lakda, SP Deepak Sharma reached the spot. After this, relief and rescue work was started. State minister Hafizul Hasan, who was passing by, also stopped at the spot and inquired about the incident.
Injured sent by ambulance
As soon as the information about the incident was received, a dozen ambulances from the district and nearby areas reached the spot. The injured were taken out of the bus and sent to Sadar Hospital and Navjeevan Nursing Home. Even after nightfall, hundreds of nearby villagers reached and started helping in evacuating the people.
The bus left from Ranchi carrying 14 passengers at quarter to four
The owner of the accident bus is Raju Khan of Giridih. In this regard, Raju Khan told that his bus had opened at 03:45 pm from Ranchi’s government bus stand. At that time there were 11 passengers in the bus. Then at the booty turn of Ranchi, three more passengers boarded. The bus left for Giridih with a total of 14 passengers. On the way more passengers would have boarded the bus. The driver Tinku Mandal was driving the bus. The bus overturned from the driver’s side. The injured driver has been admitted to the hospital. According to the owner, someone informed him that while trying to save the bike rider, the driver lost control and the bus met with an accident. However, he said that only the driver can tell the exact sequence of events.
CM expressed grief
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed grief over the Giridih incident. He tweeted that the bus going from Ranchi to Giridih has got news of accident in Barakar river. Rescue work is being done by the district administration, JMM leaders and workers.