J'khand bus accident toll rises to 16

Ranchi, Mar 28 (UNI) The toll in yesterday's bus accident near Garwah rose to 16, after two victims undergoing treatment at RIMS died here late last night.

Rajendra Institute of Medical Science Director Narendra N Agarwal today told UNI last night 11 injured people were flown by helicopter to the hospital out of which two succumbed to injuries.

The condition of nine others was out of danger, Dr Agarwal said.

The bodies of the two, who died at RIMS, were sent to Garwah, he said.

Some victims were admitted to the civil hospital in Garwah with minor injuries.

The accident occurred when a bus carrying more than 30 polling personnel veered and fell into a 15-foot-deep dry rivulet near Marwania village yesterday.

The accident occurred at about 1030 hrs when the bus was about to cross the Launga bridge that had no fence.

The election commission has already announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to every deceased person's family. The treatment expenses of the injured would be borne by the commission. If required, compensation would also be provided, Chief Elelctoral Officer Debashish Gupta has said.

The polling personnel were mostly teachers and state government employees who were supposed to be deployed for Palamu parliamentary constituency, where bypoll will be held tomorrow.

UNI