Family members of those injured in the Rambewa-Medawachchiya bus accident will be provided with lodging facilities, facilitated by the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.
A total of 76 people were injured in the accident and admitted to several hospitals in the area, the minister said.
Of them, 61 were admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where several patients have undergone orthopaedic surgery. Some patients are also under observation due to head injuries, while three have undergone MRI scans.
According to the latest update available to the minister at the time, no patients were receiving treatment in intensive care, and no deaths had been reported among those admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, he said. There was also no immediate requirement to transfer any patients to the National Hospital, he added.
A further 25 patients were admitted to the Medawachchiya Base Hospital, of whom 10 were subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
Those initially admitted to the Rambewa Hospital were also transferred to Anuradhapura.
Four deaths were initially reported following the accident.
Jayatissa said the injured included people who were not residents of the area. The government would therefore facilitate accommodation for their family members to enable them to visit those receiving treatment at the hospitals.
Families seeking assistance with lodging arrangements can contact the following officials:
– Anuradhapura District Secretary: 071 435 2016
– Ministry Secretary: 071 294 8050
Treatment of the injured is continuing at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Medawachchiya Base Hospital, the minister said.
Three men and a woman were killed in the accident, which occurred near the Rambewa-Weli Oya Junction in the Mihintale Police Division this morning.
According to Police, the accident occurred when a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus travelling from Vavuniya towards Rambewa attempted to overtake a private bus travelling in the same direction.
During the overtaking manoeuvre, the SLTB bus reportedly collided head-on with another SLTB bus approaching from the opposite direction, while the private bus also became involved in the collision. (Newswire)