VADODARA, Aug 16: Six people travelling in a jeep (GJ 6A 8969) were killed and seven others injured in a head-on collision with a luxury bus (RJ-27-P-7330) at Karjan Chowkdi, about 30 kms here, on National Highway 8 at 0.30 a.m. last night.The dead have been identified as Gopal Joshi(35), Chunilal Prajapati(65), Champaben Prajapati(22), Radha Tadvi(65), Bhavna Joshi(45) and Yogesh Joshi(25). While the first four died on the spot, the last two succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
The injured are undergoing treatment at the SSG Hospital here. They are Jigyasaben Devendra Surti (25), Urmilaben Pankajbhai Joshi (45), Madhuri Devendra Joshi (4), Bhogilal Keshav Joshi (45), Bhagwatiprasad Keshavprasad Joshi (45), Kishorekunj Dhandhor (25) and jeep driver Bharatsinh Kanusinh Chavda (30).
According to the police, the victims belonged to Chandod village in Dabhoi taluka and had gone for a pilgrimage to Bhadbhuj in Bharuch district. They were on their way back when the accident occurred. The luxury bus was coming from Dungarpur in Rajasthan and going to Surat.
The police said that casualties were higher because the jeep got sandwitched between the bus and a roadside tree when its driver made a bid to avoid the mishap. The Karjan police have registered a case of causing death due to negligent driving against the bus driver, who is absconding. The complaint was lodged by a bus passenger, Jayantilal Bhatt.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.