Daijiworld Media Network – Davangere (RJP)

Davangere, Dec 15: Two people died instantly and 26 persons sustained injuries when a bus fell into a lake named Soolekere in Kerebilachi near Channagiri of Davangere district on Sunday, December 14 evening.

The deceased are Vijayamma (45) from Baggenahalli and Mahadeva (55) from Harapanahalli. Out of the 26 injured, 6 are seriously injured. 40 persons have been rescued in the rescue operation.

The driver of the private bus plying between Davangere to Bhadravathi lost control at Kerebilachi and hit a stone besides the lake. The bus would have been safe if the passengers had not panicked to move out from the bus. When most of the passengers moved towards the exit door, the bus suddenly fell into the lake.

The two deaths were not the direct consequence of the accident but that of the stampede which took because of panicking.

The onlookers came and helped. The fire brigade which arrived took almost four hours to rescue the persons trapped inside the bus. Four cranes were used in the operation.