As a trader of Chinese goods, I regularly travel between Tatopani and Bahrabise. I was traveling from Tatopani to Bahrabishe on Saturday night as well, but had to spend the night at Nayabasti as landslide had obstructed the road at Gati-9. The obstruction had not been cleared by Monday morning.
I came to know that some buses that were on the other side of the obstruction were returning to Bahrabise. I boarded one of them at 10 am. [break]
After the bus moved for five minutes, I heard a loud noise. For a moment, I thought the bus must have hit a ditch. But the bus tilted toward the right side and fell into the Bhotekoshi River banging against whatever came its way.
I was standing close to a door of the bus and fell into the river through the ventilation above the door. The river swept me for sometime, after which I started swimming.
I must have swum for 40 meters. The bus was behind me in the river. A big wave tossed me and I could feel earth beneath my feet. I realized that the wave had swept me to the river bank. I came to know later that I remained on the river bank for sometime, and people took me for a dead body.
The bus had 34 seats. Two to four people were standing. I was also standing as there weren´t enough seats. I think there were 35 people traveling in the bus.
I think it was sheer luck that saved me.
(Based on conversation with Republica)
Tanka Prasad Dahal
I was the only person on the bus roof. I don´t know how many people were traveling inside, but I am sure the bus was full.
As I was on the roof, I don´t know what happened. I think the bus leapt in the air and then fell into the river. I found myself on the river bank when the bus was being swept away. I don´t know how I reached the river bank.
Had I fallen a meter further, the river would probably have swept me as well.
(Based on conversation with Republica)
Bikram Shakya, bus driver
I was driving to Bahrabise. There was a water poodle on the road. But I drove on. I heard a loud bang as if the bus hit something and the shock plates were broken. There must have been a ditch there. I didn´t realize this.
Before I could think anything, I felt like the bus was plunging into the river. I tried to turn the steering wheel, but the bus fell even further. I lost my senses, and do not remember swimming to safety, but finally found myself on the river bank. It was like a dream.
(Driver´s briefing to police)
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