Miracle Escape: Passengers Survive After Bus Dangles Perilously from Bridge Near Ponneri

A scene of sheer terror turned into one of immense relief early Wednesday morning near Ponneri in Tamil Nadu, as a government bus carrying 25 passengers dangled precariously off a bridge, its fate hanging by a thread. In a heart-stopping incident that defies belief, every single person on board, including the driver, emerged completely unharmed, thanks to a combination of quick thinking and sheer luck.

The ill-fated Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus was en route from Chennai to the sacred town of Tirupati, its journey proceeding normally until it reached the Sirunai-Perumbedu bridge on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway (NH-16).

Around the break of dawn, the tranquility of the ride was shattered when the driver, faced with a sudden and unavoidable obstacle, swerved sharply to avoid hitting a stray dog that had darted onto the road.

The swift maneuver, while preventing harm to the animal, sent the large vehicle careening out of control.

With a sickening crunch, the bus smashed through the concrete parapet of the bridge, its front section plunging over the edge and leaving the entire vehicle suspended halfway off the structure. The sight of the bus hanging perilously, high above the ground, would have struck fear into the bravest of hearts.

Inside, panic momentarily gripped the 25 passengers as they realized the gravity of their situation.

However, in the face of imminent danger, calmness prevailed. Passengers and the driver, with remarkable presence of mind, managed to exit the bus through the rear emergency exits and windows, carefully navigating their way to safety on the bridge. Their escape was nothing short of miraculous, considering the precarious position of the bus.

Local authorities and emergency services were immediately alerted.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Ponneri swiftly arrived at the scene, along with the Ponneri police, who initiated an investigation into the dramatic event. Their primary concern was ensuring the safety of the passengers and managing the traffic disruption on the busy national highway.

In a testament to efficient crisis management, an alternate MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) bus was promptly arranged to pick up the shaken but safe passengers, allowing them to continue their journey to Tirupati.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of road travel and the thin line between tragedy and a fortunate escape. Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances, while the community breathes a collective sigh of relief for the lives spared in this extraordinary close call.