26/02/2009 Thursday 2:50 AM IST
Location:Konavattam(en route Bangalore to Chennai)
I was travelling from Bangalore to Chennai in semi-luxury(KSRTC Rajahamsa executive) bus.Around 2:50 AM the driver applied brakes and there was a loud thud. It took me few seconds to realise what had happened.Before I could conclude it was an accident I saw blood stains on my shirt.When the brakes were applied my nose brushed against the back of the opposite seat and started bleeding.
The co-passengers hadn't recovered from the shock.I could hear a baby crying.Moments later did everyone realise that the bus had rammed to the back of another bus and the driver and conductor had fled from the spot.
The Tamil Nadu police along with the ambulance rushed to the spot.The door of our bus was crushed due to the impact and everyone was clueless about the emergency exit.It was then one person managed to get out through the window.He was followed by me and later the police helped others get out.
Many of the co-passengers had cuts and bruises on the face like me.However the passengers in the last few seats of the other bus were badly injured and were rushed immediately to hospital(CMC Hospital,I guess).
I went into the other bus to see if anybody was left.It was there when I saw a very disturbing scene.A man sitting in the last seat was stuck between two seats and was crying in pain.I along with another person tried to seperate the seats,but it wasn't possible.Later two policemen used a saw to rip the seats and pull the man outside.
Meanwhile a KSRTC bus moving to Chennai was stopped and we were accomodated.We reached Chennai at 6:40 which ended an unforgettable journey for me.By GOD's grace,the injury isn't serious and I pray for a speedy recovery of the others as well.
