TEAM HERALD
KOLHAPUR: Three passengers, including a 40-year-old Goan driver of a Margao bound Kadamba Transport Corporation bus, were killed, and 12 others were injured when the bus rammed into a tree along the Kolhapur-Gaganbavda highway near Adur village in Karveer, about 20 kms from Kolhapur, early Monday morning.
The driver, Melwyn Fernandes from Tivim, died on the spot, while the conductor escaped with minor injuries.
A KTC team led by depot manger Agnelo Carvalho along with the deceased driver’s family left for Kolhapur.
According to KTC officials, the Margao bound bus (GA-03-X-0233) left the Kolhapur bus stand at 5.30 am with 35 persons, a majority of whom were from Sindhudurg district. (Photo on Pg3)
Police sources informed media that the accident occurred at 6.30 am when the driver lost control of the speeding bus on a turn between Koparde and Adur, as the roads were wet due to light showers early morning. Fernandes was killed on the spot.
The other two deceased have been identified as Namdev Govind Bodake (62) from Vaibhavwadi in Sindhudurg district and Maruti Laxman Niman (35) from Nanded district in Maharashtra.
The injured included the bus conductor, Ramnath Dattu Shet from Canacona, and some teachers who were returning to resume duty in Sindhudurg district, as schools in Maharashtra had reopened on Monday.
On hearing a loud sound, locals rushed to the site and helped to remove the injured and other passengers from the bus.
The injured persons were shifted to a hospital in Kolhapur and subsequently discharged. A case has been registered at Karveer police station.
According to KTC officials, compensation would be paid as per the KTC rules.
