A group of 60 intermediate students from Marikal had a miraculous escape after their excursion bus met with a serious accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway near Shadnagar on Thursday morning. The incident, which resulted in minor injuries to ten students, caused significant traffic disruption, stretching for over five kilometers.
Panic and Rescue on the Highway
The students, accompanied by their college authorities, were en route to the Jalavihar water park for a day of fun when their journey took a terrifying turn. According to the Balanagar police, the accident occurred when the driver of an SUV, traveling ahead of the bus, applied brakes suddenly. In a swift maneuver to avoid a collision, the bus driver swerved, causing the vehicle to hit the road median and flip onto its side.
The sudden overturning of the bus created immediate panic and chaos. Students were heard screaming for help inside the mangled vehicle. Prompt action by locals and other motorists on the highway proved crucial. They rushed to the spot and began pulling the terrified students out through the bus windows.
Swift Police Response and Traffic Nightmare
Police officials from Balanagar quickly reached the accident site near an under-construction flyover at Balanagar. They shifted ten injured students to a nearby hospital for medical attention. A police official confirmed that all ten injured were treated as outpatients for minor injuries, while the remaining 50 students were unharmed.
The overturned bus and the SUV involved blocked the main thoroughfare, leading to a massive traffic snarl. The police stated that the accident disrupted traffic flow for nearly an hour. Fortunately, a crane was readily available at the nearby construction site, which was used to clear both vehicles from the road and restore movement.
Investigation and Aftermath
Following a preliminary investigation, the police have registered a case against the driver of the SUV on charges of negligence for his sudden braking that triggered the chain of events. The timely availability of the crane helped mitigate the traffic congestion, which had stretched an estimated five kilometers.
This incident highlights the perils of sudden maneuvers on high-speed highways and underscores the importance of defensive driving. The students' excursion, which began with excitement, ended in a harrowing experience, though thankfully with no major casualties.
