It’s despair, anger, relief for survivors

Victims who survived the accident are in a state of shock. G Mohiuddin Jeddy reports.

Victims who survived the accident are in a state of shock.

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Sandhya Sanjay, 30, who has been admitted to Ashtvinayak hospital in Panvel with leg injuries, said: “I was sitting between the buses with my family and relatives. In a second, everything was over. I have lost many family members. I don’t know where my son is. I want to see him. We were so happy after the marriage. Now there is sorrow everywhere.”

Atul More, one of the three mechanics replacing the punctured tyre of the mini-bus, said he feels lucky to be alive but feels guilty for feeling lucky. “The bus behind us suddenly came crashing into our bus. As we were under the bus, we escaped with minor injuries.”

Jitendra Pathare who suffered hand injuries said the police response was delayed and poor. “Four police vehicles arrived 20 minutes after the accident. They could have rushed the injured to the hospital in their vehicles, but they waited for the ambulances, which arrived after a delay of almost 45 minutes. Some passengers died in the interim period,” he alleged.

RD Shinde, Raigad superintendent of police, denied that there had been any delay.