53 pilgrims hurt as bus overturns near Ambaji temple

Vadodara, Oct 12 (UNI) Fifty three pilgrims were injured, five of them seriously, when a private luxury bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and overturned on the hilly terrain of Trisulia gorge, about 10 km away from the holy shrine of Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district, this afternoon.

The ill-fated bus was reportedly returning to Vadodara with about 60 pilgrims, including women and children, after offering prayers to Amba Mata this morning, considered as the most auspicious day of Ashwina and Navratri.

All the victims belonged to the Kharva community of Vadodara's Navapura area. The community people had reserved three luxury buses for Ambaji last night.

Police sources said the bus turned turtle after its driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve on the hilly road. The injured were rushed to the Danta Community Health Centre and 15 of them were later referred to the Palanpur civil hospital, Danta CHC superintendent Dr S Mistri said, adding that condition of five pilgrims was serious.

UNI