The bus developed an engine malfunction when it was trying to negotiate a steep road at Walasiho village, North Kolaka district, eyewitnesses said.
Minton who survived the accident said before the bus fell into the ravine he managed to jump out of the bus as he was seated near the door.
The 30-year-old man is being treated at the Benyamin Guluh hospital in Kolaka for an injury.
"The accident occurred at around 02.00 a.m. when the bus was trying to negotiate a steep road. The bus conductor took a stone to prevent the bus from moving backward. But when the driver made another attempt to take the bus uphill its engine failed. The vehicle then moved backward and rolled over the road edge into the ravine," he said.
He said when the bus began moving backward some of the passengers panicked and the driver completely lost control over the bus.
All the injured were taken to Benyamin Guluh hospital by a car owned by a public health service post (puskesmas) in Rante Angin subdistrict. They arrived at the hospital at around 11.00 a.m. Those seriously injured in the accident including the driver are receiving intensive medical treatment at the hospital.
Those killed in the accident were identified as Yohanis Piambang (65) and Hj. Sitti Binar.
"A number of passengers sustained serious injuries on their head," one of the hospital`s nurses said.
(T.ANT-256/S012/HAJM)
Editor: Luki Satrio
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
