The bowser, speeding without brakes, suddenly overturned while swerving to save the bus.

The Akurana, 7th Milepost, Kurugoda Junction area on the Kandy - Jaffna A09 main road was suddenly engulfed in a horrific situation yesterday morning around 10:30 AM. The brakes of a giant cement bulk carrier, which was traveling from Alawathugoda towards Kandy, failed. The out-of-control vehicle then ran over three trishaws, two motorcycles, and two lorries, crashed into a shop, and overturned.

Four lives were lost in this accident, and several others sustained serious injuries.

Those who died in the accident are two males aged 38 and 51, residents of Alawathugoda and Akurana areas, as well as two young women aged 16 and 28, residents of Matale and Akurana areas. Immediately after the accident, residents, businessmen, the army, and the police jointly launched rescue operations to free those trapped under the vehicles. It is reported that between six and seven injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at Kandy and Akurana hospitals. The police state that the condition of two people admitted to the Kandy National Hospital is serious, and both have lost their legs.

The driver of the bulk carrier, a 46-year-old resident of Galgamuwa, has been arrested by the Alawathugoda Police in connection with this fatal accident. The driver stated to the police that after the brakes failed, the vehicle sped forward uncontrollably, and realizing that a collision with a bus traveling towards Matale at that time could result in significant loss of life, he swerved the vehicle to another side. His statement indicates that due to the weight of the vehicle, it then overturned. The suspect driver is scheduled to be produced before the Kandy Magistrate's Court today.

According to residents who witnessed the accident, by the time they heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene, everything that was to happen had already occurred. One eyewitness described that the vehicle had come down from the top of the hill, attempting to stop without brakes, and eventually ran over several vehicles before overturning downhill. Residents passionately point out that the Akurana 7th Milepost area is an unsafe location with a narrow, sloping road, and many such fatal accidents have occurred there before. They accuse authorities of not taking action, despite repeated requests for speed bumps or safety measures, as brake failures in heavy vehicles are common here.

The post-mortem examinations of the four deceased have been conducted at the Kandy Hospital, and their bodies have now been handed over to their relatives. A special investigation has been launched into the tragedy under the instructions of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Central Province, Mr. Lalith Pathinayake. The Minister of Transport and Urban Development, Mr. Bimal Rathnayake, has also requested a report on the matter from the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic. Furthermore, the bulk carrier involved in the accident and other vehicles are scheduled to be inspected by the Kandy District Motor Vehicle Inspector, who will submit a report, while Alawathugoda Police are conducting further investigations.