Mangalore: Close shave for bus passengers, driver's presence of mind averts tragedy

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, May 28: Rains have just started, but problems due to slippery roads seem to have already begun.

The passengers of a KSRTC bus had a close shave after it skidded off the road and hit the bridge near Bangra Kulur on NH 66.

The bus was plying from Badami to Mangalore, via Udupi.

The incident occurred at around 5:45 am on Tuesday May 28. The bus that was heading towards Mangalore had 20 to 25 passengers aboard.

The driver of the bus tried to apply the brakes, but as the roads were slippery due to the heavy rain, the bus skidded off the road.

Alarmed by the incident, a few passengers even tried to jump off the bus, it is learnt. But the driver's presence of mind enabled him to control the bus and bring it to a stop just at the right moment, thus saving 20-25 lives. Had the bus gone a little further, there was every chance of the vehicle falling over the bridge thus resulting in a major tragedy, said locals who were at the spot.

The passengers and the bus staff suffered minor bruises. No casualities were reported.

Another bus was hired to ferry the stranded passengers to Mangalore.