A routine journey turned into a nightmare for forty passengers when their moving bus suddenly caught fire on the dangerous Roddavalasa Ghat road in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on Tuesday. What could have been a major tragedy was averted by the quick thinking and heroic actions of the bus driver.
The Moment of Terror
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as smoke and flames began engulfing the private bus while it was still in motion. Passengers screamed in terror as the fire rapidly spread through the vehicle. The bus was traveling through the challenging ghat section when the incident occurred around 2 PM.
Driver Emerges as Hero
Driver Nagaraju, displaying remarkable presence of mind, immediately brought the burning vehicle to a controlled stop despite the challenging terrain. He then calmly evacuated all forty passengers to safety before the flames could reach them.
"The driver's quick response saved our lives," recounted one shaken passenger. "He remained calm throughout the chaos and ensured everyone got out safely. We owe him our lives."
Emergency Response and Investigation
Local authorities and fire services rushed to the scene immediately after being alerted. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours before bringing it under complete control. The entire bus was reduced to a charred shell, with only the metal frame remaining.
Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Pinipe Viswarup has ordered a comprehensive probe into the incident. The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the fire and examining vehicle safety standards.
Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has raised serious questions about vehicle maintenance and safety protocols for public transport, particularly on dangerous ghat roads. Local residents have long expressed concerns about road safety in the challenging terrain of Roddavalasa Ghat.
Thankfully, due to the driver's heroic actions, what could have been a devastating tragedy ended with all passengers escaping unharmed. The incident serves as both a warning about vehicle safety and a testament to human courage in emergency situations.
