49 passengers made a narrow escape after a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus lost control and came to a halt on the edge of a 150 foot deep gorge at Outram Ghat in Chalisgaon on Sunday afternoon.
The bus was travelling from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Surat when the incident occurred at a dangerous bend on a mountain route, NDTV reported.
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The bus was prevented from plunging into the gorge after it collided with a large tree, leaving the vehicle precariously positioned near the edge of the gorge. The bus's steering rod allegedly snapped while it was negotiating at the ghat, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Prahlad, immediately applied the brakes after the vehicle lost control, helping prevent the bus from falling into the gorge, NDTV reported. The bus reportedly became suspended against a tree and a pipe near the edge of the gorge.
Dramatic visuals from the incident showed passengers climbing out of the bus through its windows as the vehicle remained dangerously positioned above the gorge.
NDTV reported that local residents rushed to the spot after hearing the noise and helped passengers evacuate the bus through its windows and the driver's cabin.
All 49 passengers were reportedly rescued safely, while those who suffered minor injuries were provided first aid, NDTV reported.
The incident averted what could have been a major tragedy with the bus's collision with the tree preventing it from plunging into the deep gorge.
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