An over-speeding bus belonging to the Meghalaya Transport Corporation plunged into a river in the village of Nongchram between the borders of East Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, leaving at least six dead and countless others from the region, going into mourning.
The incident took place at about 11:45 PM last night with at least 23 accounted for passengers being injured or killed. The bus, mostly carrying young adults in it, plunged into rushing water, leaving most of them incapacitated after it impacted the river bed.
The tragedy has left the entire Garo Hills region into mourning as most of those that died had a huge future ahead of them.
A visit to the site of the incident revealed that the driver of the bus had tried to brake just before the turn to the bridge, though it was a little too late, due to the speed at which it was travelling.
Tire marks just prior to it falling off the bridge on the Ringdi River were also visible at the site. It had hit the first section of the bridge before plunging head on. It fell face first, flipped over before flipping once again and facing the opposite direction to where it was headed.
“There were some people close to the bridge who saw the speeding bus pass by them and thought that something terrible was about to happen. A moment later, they heard a huge thud and immediately rushed to the place. Being first responders, they immediately jumped into the river and began rescue operations,” said Rongjeng resident, Jeremiah Sangma.
The brave villagers were able to save most of those who were breathing and also managed to call emergency services and policemen while they were at work.
Acting quickly, police personnel from Rongjeng PS reached the spot 15 minutes after being informed and joined in the rescue efforts.
A total of 16 victims were rescued from the spot while another four bodies of the accident victims, including the driver of the bus were recovered.
Regretfully, 15 of the 16 injured victims were critical and sent to either the Williamnagar or Tura Civil Hospitals for further care. Some were taken by their families to either Shillong or Guwahati.
This morning, rescue efforts led to the recovery of the bodies of two other victims. The bodies of the victims were later taken to the Rongjeng PS.
“Two people are still not accounted for, Larseng Sangma of Williamnagar and the second driver, Daborlang Lyngdoh. Efforts to find them are still on and will continue tomorrow as well.” said East Garo Hills SP Bruno A Sangma, who visited the place of the incident to oversee rescue efforts.
While the initial rescue efforts were undertaken by locals, they were joined by the QR Teams from EGH. The efforts were bolstered by the arrival of SDRF teams from WGH and Shillong. Police teams from Shallang in WKH also joined the efforts early morning though till the time of reporting, the two missing persons are still to be found.
The deceased in the incident have been identified as Everestar Kharumnuid (45, driver), Dismi M Sangma (26, Williamnagar), Sengsrang R Marak (Laskarpara, Damra – Assam), Traiwin Marak (23, Williamnagar), Tangsimbirth Sangma (Williamnagar) and Chekamchi Momin (18, Williamnagar).
The injured are Cheanchi M Sangma (25, Williamnagar), Dasilang Lapasun (25, Madanriting, Shillong), Dimrimbal Marak (21, Williamnagar), Changbat Marak (Williamnagar), Baia Dhar (29, Nongthymmai, Shillong), Ialorin Shangpling (32, Mawsynram), Ibolang Kurumboi (50, Shillong), Tiubok Lyngdoh (41, Mawkyrwat), Dary Paroing (41, Mawprem, Shillong), Suraia R Sangma (40, Resubelpara), Emmanuel Marak (34, Williamnagar), Nikchira T Sangma (20, Garobada), Edman Pawa (38 Williamnagar), Pukan Marak (24 Williamnagar), Chigam Sangma (22, PHE Colony, Williamnagar) and Chigatchi Sangma (21, Rajabala Abima).
