Gondia: At least 9 people died and several others were injured after the state roadways bus they were travelling in overturned while trying to avoid hitting a biker in the Gondia district of Maharashtra on Friday.
The accident took place around 12.30 pm when the Shivshahi bus (MH 09 EM 1273) of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) ferrying around 35 passengers was travelling from Bhandara to Gondia via Sakoli, police said.
Death toll may rise
A motorcycle suddenly came in front of the moving bus on a steep turn and to avoid hitting the biker, the driver turned the bus to another direction, causing it to overturn, they said.
There were more than 35 passengers aboard the bus, of whom 9 died on the spot as the bus overturned. Local people and police launched a rescue operation and pulled others trapped under the vehicle. The death toll is feared to go up as several of those rescued are in critical condition.
Bus driver fled from spot
According to eyewitnesses, the bus driver fled the scene. Ambulances and police personnel arrived at the site, rescued the injured passengers, and took them to the KTTS Government Hospital in Gondia for treatment. A crane is being used to lift the overturned bus and clear the road for traffic movement.
Further investigation into the accident is underway.
