‘Lost My Entire Family’: Bundi Bus Mishap Survivors Recall Horror

The bus, subsequently, plunged into Mej river from the bridge that had no wall or railing.

(Photo: ANI)

Twenty-four people were killed and five more sustained injuries after a private bus carrying a wedding party fell into a river on the Kota-Dausa highway in Bundi district on Wednesday, 26 February, morning, police said.

The wedding party with 28 persons on board was headed to Sawai Madhopur from Kota early morning when the driver apparently lost control of the bus while traversing a bridge near Papdi village under Lekhari police station limits, Lakheri Sub-Inspector Rajendra Kumar told PTI over phone.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives after a bus fell into a river in Bundi on Wednesday, ANI reported.

A compensation of Rs 40,000 each to the injured was also announced.

“Hearing the loud sound of the bus falling into the river, nearby villagers rushed to the spot beneath the bridge and found one person coming out of the partly submerged vehicle,” SI Rajendra Kumar said.

“Thirteen people died on the spot while 10 others succumbed to their injuries on way to hospital,” he added.

“We found the locals pulling out the people from the bus with the help of a rope and also joined the rescue operation with whatever resources were available,” .

SI Rajendra Kumar

“The injured were rushed to Lekhari government hospital from where the critically injured were referred to a government hospital in Kota,” the SI further said.

Injured In A State of Trauma: District Collector

Rescuers look for survivors.(Photo: AP)

Bundi District Collector Antar Singh Nehra told PTI that 11 women, 10 men and three children were killed in the accident, while a woman and a minor girl were among those injured.

The five injured persons were identified as Murli (55), a resident of Basant Vihar, Ganeshpal area of Kota city; Deepak Sindhi (18), son of Narayan; Amit (35); Kannu (13), daughter of Suresh; Manju (35), wife of Mahavir Dhobi, Lakheri SI Kumar said.

According to Murli, his family was headed to Sawai Madhopur city to offer Maayra (a wedding ritual) to his sister following his niece's wedding when the bus driver reportedly lost control and plunged the vehicle into the river from a height of 20-25 feet.

“Three of the injured were in a state of trauma and have been sent to a hospital in Kota.” 

Antar Singh Nehra, Bundi District Collector

“Two of the injured were discharged after treatment. Most of the injured people were rescued with the help of locals in the village,” Nehra added.

After being discharged, the two claimed that the bus lost control as one of its wheels came off, the collector quoted them saying.

“However, it has not yet been confirmed as the reason behind the accident,” Nehra clarified.

DSP Shyamsunder Vishoni said the bus has not been pulled out of the river and efforts are underway.

The cause of the accident would be ascertained only after a thorough investigation, the DSP said.

‘All Of Them Are Gone’: Family Member of Deceased

A mass cremation of 21 bodies took place in the Kishorepura ground in Kota while two were sent to Palaytha village of Baran district and the Srinathpuram area of Kota city. The body of a four-year-old child was buried.

“Besides my elder brother Ramesh Dhobi, I have lost my entire maternal family including four maternal uncles, two maternal aunts, their husbands and children. All of them are gone in the accident.”

Ramdev Dhobi, younger brother of one of the deceased.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Kota in a helicopter from New Delhi to attend the cremation. State Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Kota district Minister In-charge Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Kota District Collector Om Kasera and other district officials were also present.

PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Deaths

The Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday said in a tweet in Hindi, “The news of a bus falling into a river in Rajasthan's Bundi has caused immense grief. Many people lost their lives in the accident. In this hour of grief, I express my condolences to the families of the dead, as well as wish that those injured in the accident get well soon.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also arrived in Kota in a helicopter from New Delhi to attend the mass cremation. State Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Kota district Minister In-charge Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Kota District Collector Om Kasera and other district officials were also present.

(With inputs from PTI)