A family of nearly 12 to 13 people, which was on its way to attend a relative’s funeral at Dapoli, Ratnagiri district, in a state transport bus, met with an accident after a Volvo bus crashed into theirs on the Mumbai-Goa highway.
Three persons died while 26 have been injured.
The accident took place around 2.30am on Thursday near Kolad, said eye-witnesses.
Forty-five people were in the bus. While eight have been admitted to Sion hospital, two have been admitted at KEM hospital. All patients are stable, said hospital sources.
“None of them sustained any head injuries. All have sustained leg injuries, fractures, and a few had to be operated upon,” said Dr Vidya Mahale, assistant dean of Sion hospital.
Ramesh Joshi, 56, a Mahim resident, was travelling with his uncle, Krishnakant Joshi, 67, and nearly 12-13 relatives for a funeral at Dapoli. The rest of the bus was full of people from villages near Dapoli, said witnesses.
“We had left from Mumbai Central ST Stand at 10.30pm. We were asleep when a Volvo bus crashed into us from the right side (driver’s side) at high speed. I was luckily sitting at the back on the left side,” said Ramesh. He sustained minor injuries on his chin. “Many passengers who were sitting behind the driver sustained major injuries,” said Krishnakant. He sustained a few injuries on his leg.
Nisha Manve, 24, was travelling with her 18-month-old son Shreyas, for the funeral with her brother Sandesh. She had to be operated on her leg for a serious fracture.