Defence Secretary instructs SLAF to standby to airlift patients following bus accident

2 November 2024 09:39 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

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Colombo, Nov 02 (Daily Mirror): Defence Secretary has instructed the Sri Lanka Air Force to keep a Bell 412 helicopter on standby at the Diyatalawa Air Force Base for the potential airlift of patients injured in yesterday’s bus accident to Colombo for further treatment.

The accident occurred around 7:45 AM on Friday, November 1, at Ambagas Junction on the Dunhinda-Badulla road, involving a bus transporting 42 individuals from the Southern Campus of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). The group comprised 36 students from the 39th KDU Intake, three lecturers, an instructor in charge, a senior military officer, and the bus driver.

Tragically, two female students lost their lives in the incident, identified as residents of Kurunegala and Nivithigala. Forty others sustained injuries and were hospitalised at the Badulla General Hospital, where seven are in the intensive care unit, and one is in critical condition.

The KDU Vice-Chancellor said that arrangements for the funerals of the deceased students will be made with full university support.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident may have resulted from a mechanical fault in the bus. A thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause.

The Ministry of Defence extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. It also thanks local residents for their prompt action in rescuing the injured and commends Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa and the hospital staff for their immediate and dedicated response.

Comments - 19

Sokrates Saturday, 02 November 2024 10:21 AM

The Sri Lanka Air Force has more than 50 helicopters. After a corresponding conversion, each general or district hospital should be assigned a helicopter as an ambulance helicopter. These would each have to be manned by pilots, doctors and paramedics from the military and should have space for two seriously injured people and be equipped with the appropriate medical equipment. This would save many people's lives after accidents or in the event of sudden life-threatening illnesses. Such a service is common in many western countries, run either by the military or aid organizations.

3 37

Kamalatheepan Sellappillai Saturday, 02 November 2024 10:40 AM

We need awareness and laws for dangerous driving- prevent calamities like these

1 37

L Jaya Saturday, 02 November 2024 11:01 AM

Do you need instructions from defence secu to airlift injured to hospital. I have never heard such instructions are being given my secy or minister where I domicile. Need not report too.

29 12

Amaradasa Yatagama Saturday, 02 November 2024 11:12 AM

Good move. But why only for KDU students ? Pl. apply this arrangement to all citizens.

3 28

Lion Saturday, 02 November 2024 11:34 AM

First time in Srilanka we see this episode

14 4

Russel Harmmer Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:14 PM

We salute you Hon. Defense Secretary for your good move as instructed by Hon. President.

15 16

Dr. K.M. Kandiah Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:17 PM

OfCourse, now only SLAF is independently acting, those days it was controlled by Mahinda and Ranil. Special thanks to Anura Kumara brother for your active part.

17 21

Atha Kathakaranne Somasiri Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:22 PM

I can remember well daily SLAF Helicopters were daily engaged in transporting King Mahinda's son Baby Namal for Horse ride to Nuwara-Eliya and back. Now SLAF does some valuable services, greatly appreciated. Thanks to Hon. Prez.

5 36

Kesavan Sunder - Labourer Nuwara-Eliya MC Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:30 PM

You are 100% correct. I know very well, daily Namal comes to Nuwara-Eliya by the helicopter and ride the horse for 3-4 hours and get back to Colombo. We were thinking and talking how many innocent poor people who ate only once max twice just ordinary food and survived but what a lot of money spent unnecessary, all our money. But now we trust in our President who will pull out everything and put these culprits, rogues behind bars.

5 23

Danushka sanjeeewa Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:51 PM

Why only for KDU students ?

1 14

M Fernando Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:52 PM

Maybe because they were the people who were injured ? It's only a guess, mind you. It may have been better to ignore this KDU bus and it's injured and instead send the helicopter to transport the guy who fell off a bicycle in Anuradapura but who knows....

1 5

Helanka Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:58 PM

Have a 3 digits telephone number pasted in every bus for passengers to complain about the drivers and conductors attitude and behaviour especially reckless driving. Mr. President, Hon. Secretary to transport, please arrange this in both public and private buses.

1 15

Ylg Sunday, 03 November 2024 07:55 AM

I called that number once. Because I saw a crazy bus driver missing everybody in the bus stand. They asked me if I will come and give evidence in court. Ya sure! Made it sound a bad experience.

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Ranjith Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:02 PM

This is a good move. This should be practice for other disasters also. Hope the injured students get well soon.

3 2

Western bus driver Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:28 PM

Commercial vehicles, especially transporting passengers should undergo strict mechanical tests every six months in an approved supervised centre.

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Willows Drive Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:30 PM

First time in Sri Lanka

1 3

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:00 PM

Wrong, born again. Are you having lunch for the first time too?

4 3

Dilakshan Seneviratne Sunday, 03 November 2024 04:51 AM

Yes. But some people like @Tissa don’t like good deeds like this.

1 3

Rajan V Pillai Sunday, 03 November 2024 02:30 AM

One cannot comment on the cause of the accident wkthout knowing what had happened. Generally all Roads are well maintained with Markings. But most Drivers do not follow the basics. If the bus belongs to KDC, it would have been properly maintained ; there is no cause for Mechanical failure. Human error like Mobile use by Driver, sleepless night of the Driver may be causes. Tracking the mobile phone could reveal the cause of the accident. If the bus was outsourced mechanial Defects are possible, One could say accidents occur due to the conduct of a Pedestrian/s or and the movement of another Wreckless driver. More good Roads means much speedier driving and more and more accidents. . Police is not in a position to handle all Traffic Violations mainly driving while in Phone conversation.

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