KURNOOL: AN Andhra Pradesh Road Transportation Corporation (APRTC) bus, with 60 passengers on board, overturned into Paleru lake at Sanjamala on Saturday afternoon. All the passengers and bus crew had a miraculous escape, barring three persons with minor injuries.According to Koilakuntla bus depot Manager J Srinivasa Rao, the bus was heading towards Tadipathri from Koilakuntla on Saturday. It had to cross a bridge on Paleru lake at Sanjamala village to reach Tadipathri in Anantapur district. Upon reaching the spot, the lake was found overflowing with rain water.
With no concern about the probable danger, the bus driver proceeded to cross the bridge, the APRTC depot manager stated.When the bus reached the middle of the bridge, heavy currents forced the bus to overturn. The driver, unable to control the steering, lost control of the vehicle and eventually the bus toppled into the lake. The bus submerged almost 10 feet in to the Paleru Vagu lake.
The passengers raised alarm and in no time local villagers and police personnel came to their aid. The passengers also broke window panes and tried to egress the bus, said the depot Manager.
However, with the timely help of police and the locals all the passengers on board were rescued and three persons sustained minor injuries.The passengers blamed the Road Transportation Corporation officials for permitting the bus to ply on a route, which was not safe for travel during heavy rains.