Death whizzes past couple in Hyderabad twin-blasts

Anand, Gujarat, Aug 27 (UNI) The toll may have been still worse for Gujarat had fate not intervened to save a couple from Anand in the twin-blasts that rocked Hyderabad on Saturday.

Vithalbhai Patel, a dealer of a mattress company, and his wife were among the 50 dealers from all over India, whom the company had taken on a tour of Hyderabad.

After visiting Ramoji Rao's film city, the bus hired by the Company, brought all of them to Lumbini Park.

Vithalbhai, who arrived here last evening, told UNI, ''When the bus dropped us at 1930 hrs, we were told that we had one hour to see the laser show. I somehow was simply not interested to see the show in such a maddening and massive crowd. Me and my wife preferred to stay outside and just after 10 minutes, we heard the blast.

Our first reaction was that the sound was part of the film that was being shown inside. Then we heard the screams and saw gory scenes.'' But not every body was as lucky like the couple.

The group's another member lost his life in the ghastty incident.

Vallabhai Fefar (43), determined to see the show, had rushed inside with his eldest son, Yash (12), to purchase the tickets, recalls Vithalbhai.

Fefar and Yash had just taken their seats when the bomb exploded, killing the former. Yash is battling for his life in the ICU of Hyderabad's Yashoda hospital.

Vallabhbhai's body was brought to Ahmedabad last evening by his relatives and will be taken to his Rajkot residence. His wife Meenaben, younger son Meet (5) and brother Damjibhai, who had rushed to Hyderabad after the blast, accompanied the body.

UNI