SLTB Bus Collides with Unsafe Reversing Excavator Lorry in Tambare, Nawagattegama; Conductor and Passengers Hospitalized

A serious road accident was reported this morning (18/10/2026) along the Nawagattegama main road in the Tambare area, leaving several commuters injured. According to initial telemetry and local reports, a Tata lorry transporting a Kobelco excavator was being reversed onto the main road in an unsafe manner without any cautionary signals. At that precise moment, Route No. 57 SLTB bus belonging to the Galgamuwa Depot, operating from Anuradhapura to Nawagattegama via Galgamuwa, came down the route. The boom arm and undercarriage of the excavator violently struck the oncoming bus. The impact severely mangled the front left door, a portion of the roof, and the middle row of glass windows of the bus. The bus conductor, who was stationed near the front footboard at the time, alongside several passengers, sustained injuries. They were swiftly rushed for medical treatment. Local police have initiated an extensive investigation into the incident. Accident 1st urges all motorists to prioritize defensive driving. When maneuvering heavy machinery on public roads, always employ a safety spotter and adequate warning signals to protect fellow road users and prevent preventable tragedies.