21 injured as bus runs off the road

A semi-luxury private bus traveling from Badulla to Colombo ran off the road today morning (15) in the Uduwara area of the Badulla-Bandarawela main road and overturned into the yard of a funeral parlour, injuring 21 people.

The injured were admitted to the Demodara and Badulla General Hospitals, according to Ella Police.

Eight  women and eleven men who were injured in the accident were admitted to Badulla General Hospital and their condition is not serious, Deputy Director Dr. Gayan Cooray of the Hospital said.

Police said that the other two who were injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at the Demodara Hospital.

About 25 passengers were traveling in this semi-luxury private bus that was headed from Badulla to Colombo at 10.20 am yesterday (15) at the time of the accident. The driver of the bus was injured and the conductor escaped unhurt, Police said.

If the bus overturned into Badulu Oya without running off the road and landing in the yard of a funeral parlour, there was a possibility of a major accident, a senior Police Officer said.

The bus has been severely damaged in the accident.

Upon the instructions of Bandarawela Senior Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kalupahana and Superintendent of Police B.M. Dasanayake, officers including Ella Police Station Chief Inspector Abeygunawardena are conducting further investigations regarding the incident.

By: Prasad Rukmal - Ella