Bengaluru's Pothole Peril: School Bus Carrying 20 Students Miraculously Avoids Catastrophe

A morning commute turned into a heart-stopping ordeal for 20 students of VIBGYOR High School in Bengaluru when their school bus tragically toppled after hitting a massive pothole. The harrowing incident, which occurred around 6:30 AM near Kudlu Gate, saw the vehicle carrying young lives flip onto its side, but remarkably, all aboard escaped with only minor injuries, averting what could have been a devastating catastrophe.

The students, on their way to school, experienced a moment of sheer terror as the bus, driven by 45-year-old Gajaraj, suddenly lost balance.

Surveillance footage from the area captured the alarming sequence of events: the bus swerving violently after encountering a substantial crater in the road, ultimately succumbing to the impact and overturning. The sight of the bus lying on its side sent shivers down the spines of onlookers and, undoubtedly, the parents who would soon learn of the near-tragedy.

In the immediate aftermath, there was a collective gasp of relief as it became clear that the outcome, despite the severity of the accident, was far from the worst-case scenario.

While shaken and suffering from minor scrapes and bruises, no student or the driver sustained critical injuries. First aid was promptly administered to those in need, and a quick-thinking response ensured that the uninjured students were swiftly transferred to another bus to continue their journey, albeit with a renewed sense of gratitude and perhaps, a lingering shock.

Local authorities, including the Bengaluru city police, quickly arrived at the scene.

A case has been registered, and investigations are underway to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, the root cause appears starkly evident: yet another testament to Bengaluru's notorious and perilous pothole problem. Residents and commuters have long decried the city's pockmarked roads, which not only cause daily inconvenience but also pose significant safety hazards, as horrifyingly demonstrated by this near-fatal school bus mishap.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for robust infrastructure maintenance and accountability from civic bodies.

While the city collectively breathes a sigh of relief for the miraculous escape of these 20 students, it also ignites a renewed call for action against the pervasive threat of potholes that continue to endanger lives on Bengaluru's roads. The community now looks to authorities for concrete measures to prevent such terrifying incidents from recurring, ensuring the safety of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable – its children.