Five killed, 18 injured as bus overturns in Junagadh

The incident took place at around 8.30 am when they were returning from Somnath temple in nearby Gir Somnath district.

[related-post]

“Three students and two women cooks who were part of the tour have been killed. Injured have been rushed to Junagadh civil hospital and instructions have been given to ensure best treatment to them,” said state Education Minister Bhupendra-sinh Chudasama who was in Gir Somnath. Those killed in the mishap were identified as Bhavu Bambhva (11), Nisha Rabari (11), Divya Bharati (13), Champa Rajkotiya (40) and Ramila Rathod (45). The Surat Municipal Corporation has announced Rs1 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of each of the victims, and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. “The driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a curve as he was apparently overspeeding. The bus hit the median of the highway and overturned. Three students and two cooks were killed on the spot,” SP of Junagadh Saurabh Tolumbia told The Indian Express.

The seriously injured 18 students were rushed to a government hospital in Junagadh. From there, four critically injured were referred to Rajkot for further treatment. A student who required cardio-vascular intervention was referred to Ahmedabad Civil hospital from Rajkot.
Those who sustained minor injuries were given primary treatment at a government hospital in Keshod and were later sent to Surat in another bus.

The driver o f the bus, Raju, has been booked under IPC Section 304 (a) for causing death by negligence and rash driving. Keshod DySP Balvantsinh Vaghela said the driver ran away after the accident and that efforts were on to nab him.