40 hurt as bus falls off Chennai flyover

Chennai, June 27 (IANS) Around 50 bus passengers had a miraculous escape after the vehicle plunged down a flyover in the Tamil Nadu capital city Wednesday afternoon, police said. Around 40 passengers were injured in the incident.

The state-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus was plying between Broadway and Vadapalani in the city.

On the Anna flyover, the bus was taking a left turn when it crashed into the side wall and fell down on the road below from a height of around 20 feet.

Passersby helped the passengers get out of the bus wreckage. Ambulances and fire tenders also rushed to the spot to rescue the passengers.

Traffic on the busy Anna Salai road was disrupted for several hours following the accident.

Based on preliminary investigation, police said the driver lost control of the bus while negotiating a turn.

However, there was also a complaint that the driver was speaking on a mobile phone when the accident happened.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Welfare B. Valarmathi and senior police officials rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue work.