TANAHUN: At least 15 people were injured, including the driver who is in critical condition, after a passenger bus crashed into the Kalesti Bridge in Byas Municipality–7, Tanahun, on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the District Police Office, Tanahun, the accident occurred at around 3:15 p.m. when the bus (registration number Ga 1 Kha 6465) was traveling from Kalesti to Damauli.

Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to collide with the bridge over the Kalesti stream. The driver, Shamsher Nepali, was trapped in the driver’s seat and sustained serious injuries before being rescued by a police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dwarika Prasad Ghimire. He was taken to Ratnahari Hospital for treatment, where his condition remains critical.

The bus was carrying 25 passengers at the time of the crash. The injured include Shrimaya Pariyar (60), Shanta Gautam (35), Nira Gautam (32), Susmita Sahi (29), Chandramaya Gurung (60), Anita Gurung (47), Bindu Gurung (49), Swastikala Khanal (50), Sujita Paudel (27), Sanbhi Giri (8), Dipa Khan (40), Sita Nepali (51), Hira Malla (35), and Nunimaya Thapa (44).

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.