It happened in the early 80s during which period I was working as a Sales Rep for a paint company and used to travel by bus to meet my customers for around 15-20 days in a month. Buses of those days were simple, non a/c with basic features, limited comforts and of 2+3 seater type. (I heard some of you saying, even today its same!)
In this particular trip on a sunny day morning, I was on my way to Tirupur and sitting in a private bus on the left 4th aisle seat. Passenger occupation was around 70% and as usual to private bus drivers, the driving was rash. The road was of double lane type without median and of course the traffic was easy. Once we crossed Sulur the driver got into his racy mood and driving the bus even speedier. Road was just ok and hence the ride was pumpy. However some of the passengers got into sleep and some others were talking on high decibel to get over the noise of speedy wind through the windows. I was alone in my seat and a bit concerned with the speed, frequent jolts and holding the front seat bar firmly. I kept a constant watch on the front side of the road by looking through the wind shield.
Suddenly I saw a stationary bus in the front and our driver was still in full speed and appeared to be decided to overtake the stationary bus. Everything was ok till our bus got into a distance of around 50-60 feet. And now from nowhere a truck came on the opposite direction and worse, the truck stopped just aside the stationary bus and the truck driver poked his face outside and start querying with the stationary bus driver.
I somehow felt something wrong and strengthened my hold on the front seat bar. Either the brake of our bus failed or the reflex of our driver was poor, our bus just rammed into the stationary bus with a bang. Left front portion of our bus got damaged heavily. Those passengers who were sleeping got hit by the side, front bar heavily; some of them lost their teeth and started bleeding. Some hit the ceiling and some others were thrown out of their seat into walk way. There was utter chaos and crying. Some got fainted. Thank God, fortunately no causalities. As I was holding the bar very firmly, some extent foreseen the happening and more importantly was in the 4th row, I was glued to my seat with a shock. Passengers in first two rows (in front of front door) were the ones, who received maximum brunt. Luckily there were passer-bys who came to our rescue and helped those injured to board another bus to reach hospital.
Fortunately by God’s grace my sufferings were limited to severe sprain, muscle spasm and bodily pain only; no fractures or bruises but the body pain was so acute that I took pain killers for almost a week.
Number of accidents are ever increasing on our roads but the attitudinal shift of drivers towards responsible driving is slow and still questionable. More so with safety features and upkeep of buses. Its high time transport authorities, bus manufacturers, driving institutes and drivers exhibit compassion.