Miraculous escape for passengers of Chennai-bound bus

Passengers travelling by a Chennai-bound private bus had a miraculous escape when the bus caught fire after dashing against a truck between Mocherla and Veerepalli on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway under Gudlur police station limits in Prakasam district on Wednesday.

The 18 passengers of the sleeper bus from Hyderabad jumped to safety from the emergency exit window, said Kandukur Deputy Superintendent of Police G. Prakash Rao.

The bus was totally destroyed in the fire caused by suspected short-circuit, said Kandukur Circle Inspector K. Lakshman who took the bus driver into custody for questioning.

The driver and cleaner of the truck are absconding, Gudluru Sub-Inspector S. Vijaychandra said.