At least ten people, including one woman and a child, were killed and several others injured when a bus caught fire after a high voltage electricity wire fell on it here on Sunday.
The accident occurred in the state's Palamu District, around 160 kilometres from Ranchi, when a hanging high voltage electricity wire caressed the speeding bus, leading to fire in the bus.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ajay Kumar, thanked villagers for saving many lives.
"The wire was hanging near the gate. Some people, who were rushing out clutched it out of ignorance. As a result, few people came in contact with the wire which led to this accident. Local people helped a lot, the doused the bus fire, segregated the wire and saved many lives," said Kumar.
Around 50 people managed to escape the burning bus. Five people, including one women and a child, were burnt to death while five ill fated people were electrocuted.
"Slowly the motorbike caught fire and after it spread to the bus," said an injured victim, Vinod Kumar.
Meanwhile, the injured has been admitted to the nearby hospital.
