SIX KILLED, 52 INJURED IN KALUTARA BUS ACCIDENT

• SLTB bus in an attempt to overtake another vehicle had collided head-on with the private bus

By Sunil S Thanthriarachchi, Bandu Thambavita and Sarath Siriwardana   

Six passengers including three women were killed and 52 others were injured when two buses collided head-on at Waskaduwa Junction in Kalutara North on the Galle Road yesterday morning, police said.  

They said a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus travelling towards Colombo from Elpitiya had collided with a private bus travelling towards Galle at around 5.15 am yesterday.   
The SLTB bus in an attempt to overtake another vehicle had collided head-on with the private bus that came in the opposite direction. The injured had been rushed to the Kalutara General Hospital in Nagoda.   

Amongst the casualties were 43 males, eight females and a child. Condition of some was reported to be serious.   

Kalutara North Police Traffic Branch is conducting investigations.

Those killed in the accident were Dona Manel Jayanthi (48), Bangamuhewa Appuarachchige Krishani Apsara (29) daughter of Uhanowita, Gamage Diluk Rangajeewa (35) - SLTB driver of Meegahathenna Welmitigigoda, Weligama Kariyawasam Haputhanthri Gamage Hashan Madushanka(22) of Polpelaketiya Janapadaya , Thalgaswala Pitigala Kariyawasam HapuThanthrige Gamage Isuru Champika (35) of Moratuwawattha, Niyagama, Pitigala,Nilupa Thilini Hettiarachchi (40) of Thotupala Para Pitigala..   

 Two buses were badly damaged in the accident. People of the area with the Kalutara Police officers rushed to send the injured to hospitals. All the dead were SLTB bus commuters, according to the police. People rescued the SLTB bus driver and several passengers trapped in the damaged bus with a great effort.   

 All six passengers were dead before they were brought to the Nagoda Hospital Acting hospital Director Chintha Gunarathna said.   

 Eyewitness Jayantha Mendis said, “I travel to Beruwala fisheries harbour to purchase fish. I was heading for the harbour. The Mullaitivu-bound bus overtook me. Soon after I heard a sound similar to that of an explosion. I saw the two buses collided each other. Passengers trapped inside were screaming and asking for help. Area people rushed to the scene. We carried the injured to the hospital. The two drivers were trapped in their seats,”.