Journalism of Courage
Three passengers were killed and 20 injured when a private bus going from Sangli to Mumbai,went off-track and collided into the rocky hillside of Dive Ghat around 2.30 am on Monday. While the Pune rural police team reached the spot within 30 minutes,it was only after seven hours that they managed to arrange for a crane to take out the victims. By then three passengers who were caught under the bus were already dead.
The police have identified the deceased as Tanaji Pandurang Targal (35),Pramod Laxman Jagtap (24),both residents of Jat village in Sangli,and Sambhaji Virappa Kolekar (40),a native of Mangalvedha in Solapur. Police said Kolekar was going to Mumbai with daughter Manisha to meet his sick mother. While he died in the mishap,Manisha survived with severe injuries and has been admitted to Sassoon Hospital.
Despite reaching the spot on time,we were unable to arrange a crane. It was only by 9 am that we managed to arrange one. Unfortunately by then,three people had died, said Ravindra Rasal,inspector,Loni Kalbhor police station.
The police said the accident happened when the driver lost control over the bus,while coming down the slope of Dive Ghat. The bus went on to hit the hill.
Most of the passengers were asleep. Some of them woke up on hearing a loud noise and jumped through the windows. The three persons who died were sitting near the windows on the left side of the bus and got caught under the bus.
Of the 20 people injured,eight had minor injuries and were discharged after basic treatment. The remaining 12 have been admitted to Sassoon Hospital.
Police said bus driver Hiralal Shaikh,who was also injured in the mishap,was absconding. .
