-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM, FEB 14 Two persons were killed while around 43 others were injured when a passenger bus and a truck collided at Vijaynagar-Karapur, Sanquelim, on Monday evening. According to reports, the mishap occurred at about 6.10 pm when the bus (GA-01-U-2603), which was proceeding from Panjim to Valpoi, dashed against an oncoming truck (GA-04-T-1769) on the slope at Vijaynagar. The bus was packed to capacity and the impact of the collision was such that after the hit, the bus rested on the truck, injuring almost all the persons in the bus. The truck driver, however, managed to escape from the site. Onlookers rushed to the spot and broke the windows of the bus, to pull out the passengers. Bus driver Davlatrao Rane from Advai-Sattari died on the spot, while passenger Kalpana Kerkar from Parye-Sattari died in hospital. The Emergency Services swung into action and shifted the injured to PHC Bicholim and Sanquelim. Thirteen passengers who were shifted to the PHC Bicholim were Vrunda Sawant (Valpoi), Anand Naik (Parye), Zarina Sheikh (Valpoi), Bhikaji Naik (Sanquelim), Keshav Sawant (Honda), Rama Jalmi (Pali), Pradeep Gaonkar (Valpoi), Shreya Barve (Valpoi), Sachin Tambul (Sanquelim), Priyanka Chari (Valpoi), Vasudha Desai (Advai), Nima Zalmi (Valpoi) and Prajot Kanekar (Sanquelim). They were later shifted to GMC Hospital in Bambolim. About 30 other passengers were shifted to the PHC Sanquelim. PI Harish Madkaikar is investigating the case. Speaking to Herald, one Firoj Khan, who was injured in the mishap, said the bus had a snag in its engine. “The bus had some problem and after we complained to the conductor, he tried to meddle with the engine at the Bicholim bus stand. He told us that it would still work and we might reach Valpoi”, said Khan. “After reaching Karapur, the bus driver lost control over the vehicle and hit the oncoming vehicle”, said Khan. “There was a loud noise and within a minute, the bus was resting on the truck. There was commotion all over as people pushed and trampled others in a bid to save themselves”, said a visibly shaken Khan.
