Newmai News Network
Shillong | September 30
Atleast six people died after a bus belonging to Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) plunged into the river early Thursday at Nongchram between East Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills.
A visit to the site showed tyre marks just prior to it falling off the bridge on the Ringdi River. It had hit the first section of the bridge before plunging head-on.
“There were some people close to the bridge who saw the speeding bus passing by them and thought that something terrible was about to happen. A moment later, they heard a huge thud and immediately rushed to the place. Being first responders, they immediately jumped into the river and began rescue operations,” said Rongjeng resident, Jeremiah Sangma.
The villagers were able to save most of the passengers and managed to call emergency services and policemen.
Police personnel from Rongjeng police station reached the spot 15 minutes after being informed and joined in the rescue efforts. A total of 16 victims were rescued from the spot while another 4 bodies of the accident victims, including the driver of the bus, were recovered. Regretfully, 15 of the 16 injured victims were critical and sent to either the Williamnagar or Tura Civil Hospitals for further care. Some were taken by their families to either Shillong or Guwahati.
Later, this morning, rescue efforts led to the recovery of the bodies of 2 other victims. The bodies of the victims were later taken to the Rongjeng police station.
While the initial rescue efforts were undertaken by locals, they were joined by the QR Teams from East Garo Hills. The efforts were bolstered by the arrival of SDRF teams from West Garo Hills and Shillong. Police teams from Shallang in West Khasi Hills also joined the efforts early morning though, till the time of reporting, the two missing persons are still to be found.
