Mother's sacrifice saves baby in Garandiella bus accident

12 May 2025 11:01 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, May 12 (Daily Mirror) - In a tragic bus accident in Kotmale's Garandiella area, a mother's final act of bravery and selfless sacrifice saved the life of her 9-month-old daughter.

Rescuers reported that the 45-year-old mother instinctively wrapped her body around her baby, forming a protective shield as they became trapped under the wreckage.

Tragically, the child's father died instantly in the crash. Despite her own injuries, the mother maintained her protective embrace throughout the hours-long rescue operation.

Both mother and child were eventually hospitalised, but the mother later succumbed to her injuries.

The infant is now receiving specialised care at the Peradeniya Children's Hospital and is reportedly in stable condition.

Comments - 18

Lk Monday, 12 May 2025 11:42 AM

So sad to see it and so sad to hear about this horrible accident: we must educate our drivers and transport minister and other officials must work to improve our quality of driving: We talk too much and little action has been taken: Fire some senior officials in all departments if you want to take work from them : Many civil servants jolly rides on our public service: sadly NPP government doesn’t take action : People will teach them a lesson if they do not work

1 46

Ylg Monday, 12 May 2025 12:27 PM

Driver in public transport carries a massive responsibility. A broad you need to have a qualification for a license in public transport. I suggest at least a specialized diploma.

0 23

Maalumama Monday, 12 May 2025 02:30 PM

We have been talking about these tragic accidents for years without taking concrete action to prevent it. Traffic in the modern times cannot be controlled but needs to be managed. Heavy fines/penalties should be imposed on traffic offenders, especially public transport drivers. If they threaten with strikes, cancel the permits. No government including NPP has/had the guts to do it. Earlier it was because rogue ministers too owned buses. But now???

3 12

Amaran Monday, 12 May 2025 11:54 AM

Very sad, indeed. The child has now lost both of his parents. Government should do all needful things to look after the baby.

0 34

SLTB critic Monday, 12 May 2025 12:15 PM

Time to introduce strict annual inspection requirements on vehicles, such as those followed in the West. Only emission test is of no use. Tire quality, working condition of all lights, wipers etc should be checked and revenue license should be issued only if these pass. Vast majority of buses run on tires with nearly absolutely no tread on it.

0 27

Fernando Monday, 12 May 2025 12:36 PM

Please please please don't travel during late night in this country. Roads are not safe and specially public transport is not safe. Think of your own life.

0 22

Lalith Rodrigo Monday, 12 May 2025 02:34 PM

Recently I visited North India. I had to travel a long distance at night by bus. I noticed every 2 hours the driver stopped the bus near a roadside restaurants for the passengers for break. The restaurants offered the crew tea and coffee free of charge. If this kind of culture is introduced in SL, drivers will not fall asleep behind the wheels.

0 18

L.A.BUDDHADASA Monday, 12 May 2025 06:25 PM

It does happen here too. That's the reason why long-distance buses stop only at particular food outlets.

0 0

Nalin Gooneratne Monday, 12 May 2025 01:40 PM

Speed limits should be clearly indicated, especially in upcountry roads. Just the speed limit such as 30 or 50 can be indicated in red in a black circle. Make it compulsory on all advertisements on roads throughout the country. Also use whatever funds available to have protective fences at critical locations on upcountry roads.

1 8

Jagath Leanage Monday, 12 May 2025 02:06 PM

So sad. Infact, the saddest video footage seen in our lifetime, I believe.

0 5

Ranjan Monday, 12 May 2025 02:17 PM

Heartbreaking. Our people should avoid travelling late night. Brave mother. Someone should start a donation program for the wellbeing of this child.We all will contribute including the Sri lankan living overseas. I like to coordinate from NZ

0 7

Gallbanis Monday, 12 May 2025 02:34 PM

I do not understand why ctb bus drivers need to race, as they get a monthly salary instead. The mind set of these drivers have to change and punished severely inorder to reduce accidents. The passengers also have to have a backbone to confront drivers if they drive irresponsibly. All I know very well is that everyone will forget this accident in a week and the bus drivers, police, government officials will go back to their old habits until a next accident occurs. This routine has to stop.

0 10

Kevin Monday, 12 May 2025 03:06 PM

21 people dead. This should be headline news not the silly CMC council power struggle.

0 5

Cassie Monday, 12 May 2025 03:21 PM

Oh my goodness! This is beyond tragic. Hope the infant has good family members who will raise her lovingly.

0 7

Volker Metzger Monday, 12 May 2025 05:14 PM

A horribly tragic traffic accident with so many dead! The condition of the buses in SL is irresponsible, and the drivers often drive too fast and at far too high a risk! But the mother's instinctive behavior and her deep love for the baby are heartwarming! She sacrificed her life so that her child could live! One can only hope that the surviving child will receive the full attention and support of her family and the village community!

0 0

Start Monitoring All buss routes Monday, 12 May 2025 05:14 PM

Please make it compulsory to install CCTV camera in all buses (public and private) and gps machine to track if they exceed the speed limit. And ban all loud speakers because this is also causing accidents when old people are getting down from behind when conductor stays in front

0 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 12 May 2025 05:58 PM

Big talk ruthless Bimal guy should resign.because he has mot been able to improve road safety. More and more deadly accidents happen on daily basis because of no action is taken against the erratic drivers. This is a very pathetic situation.

0 1

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 12 May 2025 07:49 PM

Bimal Rathnayake should resign instead of going to hospital and stand with a grin on the face. It is his incapability that is showing up on roads.

0 1

222

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.