Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 30: Even as rescue operations concluded and all injured passengers received timely medical attention, uncertainty continues to surround the exact cause of today’s STS bus accident near Sabari Junction in Middle Andaman.
The accident, which occurred on National Highway-4 near St. Mary’s School, Sabri Junction, left dozens of passengers injured. According to available information, six passengers and the bus driver reportedly sustained grievous injuries, total nine where shifted to G B Pant Hospital while several others suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Passengers who were on board said the incident unfolded within seconds, leaving them with little understanding of what had actually caused the bus to veer off the road. Many of the passengers were reportedly in a state of shock and trauma after the accident and were unable to explain how it happened. The driver, who also suffered serious injuries, was reportedly not in a condition to provide any details immediately after the incident.
Meanwhile, a few eyewitnesses claimed that the bus involved in the accident was an old vehicle, raising questions about whether its mechanical condition or maintenance could have played any role. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding any mechanical failure.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Rangat Zilla Parishad Member Mr. Tapas Roy said that there were no visible tyre skid marks near the accident site. According to him, the absence of skid marks suggests that the accident may not have occurred due to sudden braking, although he emphasized that only a technical investigation can establish the actual cause.
Several local residents believe that identifying the exact reason behind the accident is essential so that similar incidents can be prevented in the future. Some also maintained that the driver was not known to consume alcohol, making drunken driving an unlikely factor, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Road safety observers say several possibilities need to be examined during the investigation. These include a possible steering or mechanical failure, sudden health issues affecting the driver, fatigue, or an unexpected engine malfunction that may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. At present, however, these remain only possible scenarios and have not been established by investigators.
The Transport Department, Police Department and the District Administration are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the accident. Islanders hope that the findings of the investigation will be made public so that the actual cause can be identified and necessary measures taken to improve road safety and prevent similar accidents in the future.
