8 killed as APSRTC bus plunges into rivulet

Vijayawada: At least eight passengers of an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus were killed as it fell into a rivulet near Jangareddygudem in West Godavari district on Wednesday.

West Godavari district Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma told PTI over the phone from Eluru that there were about 35 passengers in the bus that was on its way to Jangareddygudem from Aswaraopet in neighboring Telangana when the mishap occurred.

The APSRTC bus driver tried to maneuver his way to avoid a lorry coming in the opposite direction on a bridge across the Jalleru rivulet.

“The bus hit the bridge railing and fell into the rivulet. We have so far recovered eight bodies, including five female passengers,” Rahul said.

Local people and police rushed to the spot and were carrying out a rescue operation when reports last came in.