Sindhupalchowk bus plunge: Death toll reaches 11, over 70 injured

KATHMANDU, Oct 11: The death toll from Sindhupalchowk passenger bus has climbed to 11 while more than six dozens who sustained injuries are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Kathmandu and Dhulikhel and Banepa.

The accident occurred when the bus (Ba 2 Kha 2715) en route to Kathmandu from Sipatar of Sindhupalchowk skidded off the road and fell 200 meters at Badehere Chowk, Bhotispa in Indrawati rural municipality-10 at around 9:55 am on Friday morning.

Dozens of passengers were airlifted to different hospitals in Kathmandu for further treatment with the help of an Army chopper and a private helicopter.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhav Prasad Kafle said the bus was overcrowded and was carrying some passengers on its roof as well.

The 30-seat capacity bus was carrying more than ninety passengers, according to reports. They were returning to the capital after celebrating Dashain festival in their respective hometowns.

Of the total injured, 13  are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kathmandu, 58 in Dhulikhel Hospital and 14 in Sir Memorial Hospital in Banepa, according to reports.

According to a survivor, the driver stopped the bus on the sloping road after bus had a tire puncture. But unfortunately the brake did not work and the bus skidded down the road, landed some 200 meters below and somersaulted.

Almost every passenger on board was injured in the accident, according to him.

Of the 11 deceased, five have been identified as Kedar Nath Mahaju of Kavrepalanchowk, Sangeeta Purkoti of Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, Heera Shrestha and Binod Lamsal of Indrawati-9, Ritesh Acharya of Indrawati-10.