Rajkot: A truck driver who reportedly pulled his vehicle to the side of the road after spotting an approaching bus and a labourer travelling with him were killed when a GSRTC bus collided with the truck in Gir Somnath district on Wednesday. Fourteen others were injured.The accident occurred near Bediya village in Gir Gadhada taluka on the Bediya-Khambha road.The deceased were identified as Raju Rathod, 40, a truck driver from Una, and Ravi Parmar, a labourer. Both died in the collision.The injured included six labourers travelling in the truck as well as the bus driver. They were shifted to Una Govt Hospital for treatment.According to police, the GSRTC bus from the Nadiad division was operating on the Nadiad-Zalod-Una route and was travelling from Zalod towards Una when the accident took place.Ilesh Vaghela, one of the injured labourers, told police that the group was travelling to load cotton. He said that after crossing Bediya village, the truck driver moved the vehicle towards the roadside on noticing the bus approaching from the opposite direction. Despite that, the bus hit the truck, police said.Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the crash and have begun recording statements of those involved and other witnesses.Gir Gadhada police said an offence will be registered after completion of the preliminary investigation and recording of statements.
