Bus topples on A9 road; one dead, 20 injured

One person had died and 20 others were injured when a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) passenger bus turned turtle on the Jaffna-Jaffna (A-9) road last evening, police said.

They said the accident took place in the Palai Mulliadi area of Killinochci along the A9 road.

The injured passengers said the overturned SLTB bus and another private bus were driven at high speed and racing against each other near Palai, where the driver lost control of the bus and overturned. 

Due to its high speed, the toppled bus dragged along about 100 feet before the incident took place. According to the police, one passenger was thrown from the bus and died on the spot.

Nearly 20 passengers were admitted to Palai Hospital. Eight seriously injured passengers were transferred to Kilinochchi Base Hospital.

The injured are being treated at the Palai Hospital. The Palai Police, conducting investigation, suspect the mishap was due to high speed.