Eleven family members killed, one injured in van-bus crash | Daily News

Eleven family members killed, one injured in van-bus crash

Van driver (19), suspected to have dozed off:

Eleven members of the same family from Batticaloa died and another was injured in a major crash involving a private bus and a van which occurred opposite the Mahiyanganaya National School on the Badulla-Mahiyanganaya Road around 1.30 am yesterday (April 17).

All of them were travelling in the van which was proceeding to Batticaloa from Ja-ela.

The private bus was on its way to Diyatalawa from Trincomalee. Six passengers in the bus who were also injured are receiving treatment at the Mahiyanganaya hospital.

The Police Spokesman said that the bus driver had been subjected to a medical examination and confirmed that he was not under the influence of any substance or alcohol. Hence, the private bus driver had been released on two sureties of Rs.200,000 each by the Mahiyanganaya Magistrate’s Court.

Two members of the family who were in the van had died on the spot while the others had succumbed to injuries on admission to the Mahiyanganaya hospital. Mahiyanganaya police investigating the incident said recklessness of the van driver aged 19, who was dozing off had caused the accident. The speeding van which collided head on had got embedded in the front portion of the bus upto about two metres.

The deceased were identified as Anali Alexander, Faida Alexander, both twin sisters, Nilisalin Alexander, Lister Alexander, Sylvia Jones and Joseph Gelinton Joseph, driver Jude Prins, his mother Maria Francis and father Handrick Francis.Mahiyanganya Police is investigating directed by ASP Aruna Gallage.

 

 


Add new comment