The search for the last two victims of the horrific accident that took place on the night of September 29 ended this afternoon after the bodies of the last two victims, Laksrang M Sangma (23) of Williamnagar and the second driver, Daborlang Lyngdoh were recovered by a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), who were pressed into action since yesterday.
The body of the first victim was recovered at around 9 am while the second body was retrieved in the afternoon.
The recovery of the two bodies has taken the death toll to eight, with the 15 seriously injured still recovering from the injuries they suffered on the fateful night.
On Wednesday, an MTC bus on its way to Shillong from Tura carrying at least 23 people, including two drivers, was speeding and fell into the Ringde River near the Nongchram bridge, plunging head first and killing at least six people on the spot. Two people were reported missing while the others were shifted to hospitals in Williamnagar and Tura.
“The body of Laksrang was the first one to be recovered from under the bus while the driver, Lyngdoh, was found about 3km downstream. The bus that fell head on into the river has also been brought out,” said a police source from East Garo Hills.
The recovery of the two bodies brings an end to the nightmare that has taken over the minds of the people of the region, with people across waiting for updates on the injured and the victims.
The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), while condoling the deaths, said that it was informed that the driver, conductor and handyman had indulged in drinking and the bus was speeding.
“The Meghalaya transport corporation should be careful not to employ such personnel into its service who indulge in such activities and play with passengers’ lives. We also suggest that night services be changed to better day timings so that such incidents can be avoided in the future. Authorities should also monitor the transport system and ensure proper maintenance of vehicles and recruit responsible drivers,” said president of ADE, Dalseng B Ch Momin.
