Date:12/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/12/stories/2008091258470100.htm

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12 feared killed as bus falls into gorge

Staff Reporter

NELLORE: Twelve people were feared dead and 25 others of Railway Kodur injured when a tourist bus plunged into a deep gorge near Chitwel-Rapur Ghat road on Kadapa-Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore border on Thursday night.

According to Superintendent of Police B. Malla Reddy, the ill-fated bus carrying some 70 passengers was heading towards Railway Kodur from Penchalakona. The bus, apparently driven at a high speed, fell into the gorge after the driver, who was drunk, lost control while negotiating a narrow curve.

The SP claimed that both the police as well as 108 personnel found it difficult to carry out rescue operations due to the darkness. But people from nearby villagers soon arrived to help rescue the passengers.

The injured were admitted to various hospitals at Rapur and other nearby places, both in Kadapa and Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district. “Though injured persons who have been admitted at the hospital were in a critical condition, they are out of danger,” the SP said.

Several accidents have taken place at the same ghat in the last few years.