ST bus toll rises to 9

Bharuch, Dec 21 (UNI) The toll in the ST bus mishap has risen to nine, including two women, while 25 are seriously injured.

The state transport bus fell into the Amravati river on the National highway number 8 between Bharuch and Ankleshwar, about 5 km from Ankleshwar yesterday evening. The bus was proceeding from Dhari to Navsari.

According to the Bharuch District Superintendent of Police S M Khatri, the driver lost control and the bus broke the railings on the sides of the bridge and fell into the riverbed after hitting a rock. Seven persons died on the spot yesterday, while one woman died today at Jaiben Modi hospital at Ankleshwar after being admitted.

Khatri said 21 injured people were admitted to the Jaiben Modi hospital at Ankleshwar, while the remaining were sent to the Bharuch civil hospital.

Five of the deceased were identified yesterday night and four today. The deceased are Hasumatiben Choudry (32), resident of Bhatar at Surat; Hansaben Dawda (45) from Jalalpura at Surat; Kasu Mori (55) of Dhari; Suresh Vasava (34) of Valia; bus conductor Hasmukh Patel from Dharmpura; Dinesh Larigar (32) of Amrali; Jairam Tank, a resident of Navsari; bus driver Kanu Dhabi, a resident of Bhavnagar, whose body was recovered today evening and Bhikha Makwana from Bhavnagar.

Fire and rescue service personnel from Disaster Prevention Management Committee of Ankleshwar GIDC had rushed to the spot with 12 ambulance of different industries.

State transport Bharuch manager Diljeetshin Jadav also rushed to the spot with his team and distributed Rs 10,000 to the relatives of deceased and Rs 3,000 for injured as emergency monetary help.

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