A bus driver died after suddenly falling ill while driving a passenger bus bound for Ampara, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash in Wellampitiya this morning, the Police said.
According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the victim, identified as a 44‑year‑old driver attached to the Ampara SLTB depot, was rushed to hospital but succumbed shortly after admission.
The Police said the bus, which had departed Colombo at around 5.30 am, met with the accident near Ambagaha Junction in Wellampitiya. Just minutes earlier, the driver had stopped to allow a female passenger to board before collapsing at the wheel.
It is reported that the crash caused heavy damage to a bus halt, a telephone post, a gate, a wall, and the front of the bus.
At the time of the incident, about 50 passengers were on board, but Police confirmed that none sustained injuries. (Newswire)