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Mother seen protecting baby in Kotmale bus crash dies

12 May, 2025

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A mother seen protecting her baby under the rubble of the bus involved in the Kotmale accident, has died.

Video footage showed the woman holding the baby while a large portion of the bus was on her body.

Attempts were made to cut and lift the destroyed bus from her body while people involved in the rescue attempts gave her water and comforted her and her baby.

NewsFirst reported that the 9-month old child was recovering in hospital but the child’s 45-year-old mother succumbed to her injuries.

Over 20 people were killed after the bus fell down a precipice in Kotmale in the Gerandi Ella area on Sunday.

The bus was travelling from Kurunegala to Kataragama when the accident took place.
Deputy Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said that at least 77 people were in the bus at the time of the accident.

He said that 21 people had been confirmed dead and several others were receiving treatment in hospital.

A major operation had been launched by people in the area together with the Police and military to try and rescue those trapped under and inside the destroyed bus.

People were seen trapped under the bus hours after the accident.

Gunasena said that an investigation had been launched to determine the real cause of the accident. (Colombo Gazette)

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