11 hurt as bus rams into electricity pole

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 20

Passengers of a private bus on the Shimla-Solan route had a narrow escape when the driver lost control of the bus and it rammed into an electricity pole near Kandaghat around 11 am on Thursday. Eleven of them suffered minor injuries.

The bus could have rolled down the gorge, causing a major mishap had it not hit the electricity pole.

The passengers said the driver appeared to have lost control of the bus abruptly which could also be due to some sudden illness, though only medical reports would confirm it. Locals rushed to help the passengers who had suffered injuries.

Additional SP Shiv Kumar Sharma said it was yet to be ascertained as to what caused the mishap. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC had been registered against bus driver Naresh Kumar, 32, for rash and negligent driving. Station house officer (SHO), Kandaghat, DR Guleria, who rushed to the spot after receiving the information, said the blood sample of the driver had been taken and sent for lab analysis to ascertain the cause of the mishap which could also be use of alcohol or some health condition.

He said the medical history of the driver would also be scanned while investigating the case.