Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, July 09: Around 58 passengers, including school students, sustained injuries after an STS bus met with an accident at Kishorinagar village road on Thursday afternoon.
According to preliminary information, the STS bus bearing registration No. G0034 STS had departed from Diglipur Bazaar at about 2.30 p.m. carrying students of SSS Kishorinagar on a trip to Talbagan. The accident occurred while the bus was passing through Kishorinagar village road.
The bus was being driven by a contractual driver and as per allegation by public the driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, although it is yet to be confirmed by police. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be established and is under investigation.
Passengers stated that the mishap occurred suddenly before anyone on board could comprehend what had happened. The bus tipped onto its side.
Immediately after the accident, the injured were shifted to PHC Kishorinagar for initial medical attention and were later referred to CHC Diglipur by ambulance for further treatment.
Medical Officers at CHC Diglipur informed that no serious or life-threatening injuries had been reported till the filing of this report. They said emergency treatment was being provided to all the injured. Some patients sustained head injuries, while others suffered chest injuries and injuries to their hands and legs. A few sustained multiple injuries. Most of the injured were reported to be female students.
Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Diglipur, Mr. Dipankar Mistry, visited CHC Diglipur and reviewed the treatment arrangements. He assured the Medical Officers of all possible assistance for providing immediate medical care and, if necessary, for facilitating the airlifting of any critically injured patient to GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair.
Mr. Pradip Das, Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) representing R.K. Gram Constituency, also visited the hospital and met the injured. Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, he stated that if the driver is found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, strict action should be taken against him, emphasizing that the safety of passengers, particularly school students, cannot be compromised.
Mrs. Arpana Roy, Zilla Parishad Member of Kishorinagar Constituency, also visited the hospital and enquired about the condition of the injured. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Further details are awaited.
