By Gandhya Senanayake and L.B. Senarate

A chartered private bus heading towards Menikhinna from Kandy had veered off and crashed injuring at least 44 passengers at the Kirimetiyana Junction in Menikhinna yesterday morning, police spokesman SP Preshantha Jayakody told Daily Mirror Online.

Fourteen passengers were admitted to the Kandy Hospital while 29 were hospitalized at the Menikhinna Hospital.

A party from Mapanawathura had hired the bus to visit the ‘Deyata Kirula Exhibition’ now being held at Pallekelle.

It is learnt that the bus had gone off the road while trying to negotiate a bend. The driver of the bus had fled the area. Menikhinna Police are conducting further inquiries.