BENGALURU: Gaganashree, who survived the Hiriyur bus accident with minor injuries, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru. She is recovering and shared the horrific experience with Public TV.
“Rakshita and I jumped out from the windows. We were on the upper berth and Rashmi was trapped inside. Fire spread quickly near our seat and the third seat. We jumped oput from the upper window quickly. I thought Rashmi would jump too, but the fire spread fast”, she explained.
The friends were headed to Gokarna and then to Rashmi’s house in Karwar. The bus had goods on top, which fuelled the fire. “God didn’t give Rashmi a chance to escape and she succumbed to the flames”, an emotional Gaganashree said.
Rashmi, from a village near Murudeshwar, worked with Gaganashree and Rakshita at a multinational company. They planned to visit Rashmi’s hhouse after visiting Gokarna. Rashmi died in the fire, while Gaganashree and Rakshita survived by jumping from the bus.
The incident has left Gaganashree and Rakshita traumatized, having witnessed their friend’s horrific death.
Gaganashree’s father, Siddaraju, shared the harrowing experience. “She called me at 2 am, saying she and Rakshita jumped out, but Rashmi was trapped. We rushed to the scene, but traffic was jammed. Locals took Rakshita to Chitradurga Hospital”.
“Gaganashree jumped from the upper berth and survived. She sustained back injuries and glass cuts on her leg. She is scared. She said the fire spread within five seconds”.
The three friends planned to visit Gokarna and then Murudeshwar. “When I got the call, I almost collapsed. A Shivamogga family helped admit my daughter to the hospital and gave us courage. My daughter got a second chance, but losing Rashmi is heartbreaking”, said Siddaraju.
