Kathmandu, 24 Feb: A passenger bus traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu met with an accident in Dhading on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of 19 people. A total of 25 people were injured in the incident. The injured are receiving treatment at the National Trauma Center in Mahabouddha, National Hospital in Kalanki, and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.
According to hospital sources, some of the injured are in critical condition, while others have sustained injuries to the head, legs, back, and face. The passenger bus (Ga 1 Kha 1421) heading towards Kathmandu from Pokhara crashed at Bhaisedanda in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality–5 of Dhading district.
Among the injured is Angji Sherpa, 48, who was seated behind the driver. She was traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu and sustained injuries to her head, neck, and face. According to her, the accident occurred due to the driver’s slight negligence.
Of the injured, 16 were brought to the National Trauma Center for treatment. One person died during the course of treatment. Dr. Rudra Marasini, Chief Medical Superintendent of the National Trauma Center, said that one of the 16 brought to the hospital had already died upon arrival. He added that two patients were discharged after general treatment, and 13 are currently undergoing treatment. “Some will require surgery,” Dr. Marasini said, adding that several injured patients have head, back, waist, and facial injuries.
Another injured passenger, Man Bahadur Thapa, said the bus had stopped for a meal in Mugling before continuing its journey. “The driver was driving well, but suddenly the bus met with an accident. I was sitting at the back,” Thapa said. “I only realized what was happening when the bus was about to overturn. I was thrown towards the riverside and became almost unconscious after the bus overturned.”
Thapa had a flight ticket to Kuwait scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday. “Now I won’t be able to go to Kuwait,” he lamented.
Another injured passenger, Som Kumar Malla, had boarded the bus from Tanahun. He was traveling to Kathmandu with his 18-year-old son, Subin Malla, for processing his son’s plans to study abroad. He sustained injuries to his head and left arm.
Similarly, another injured passenger, Sadiksha Hamal, who was also traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu, said the accident occurred due to the driver’s negligence at a bend. She stated that it did not appear to be a particularly dangerous location, but the sudden crash suggested driver negligence. She sustained injuries to her head and leg.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal visited the injured victims of the Dhading bus accident at the National Trauma Center and National Hospital. According to Dr. Marasini, the Home Minister inquired about the health condition of the injured. He was accompanied by Health and Population Secretary Dr. Bikash Devkota and Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, who also visited the hospitals to assess the situation.
