Two patients among the 24 injured in the Kavre bus accident on Monday, who were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, are in critical condition, doctors said.

A Nepal Army helicopter had flown 15 patients to the Trauma Centre while nine others were admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Dr Binod Sherchan, officiating medical superintendent of the Trauma Centre, said two patients are in the intensive care unit. “The rest are out of danger,” said Dr Sherchan. At the TUTH too, patients are still under observation in the emergency unit.

At least 27 people were killed and 43 others injured when a crowded passenger bus swerved off the road and plunged some 500 metres, at Birtadeurali VDC in Kavre district on Monday.

Speaking to the Post, patients recalled the deadly incident and blamed reckless driving. Nil Kantha Gautam, 18, of Jyamire-7, Kavre is pursuing a health assistant’s course in Bharatpur. He arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday and was leaving for home in Kavre by the ill-fated bus. “The engine of the bus broke down and we pushed the vehicle to restart it at Dolalghat,” Gautam recalled. “When we reached Birtadeurali VDC, the engine stopped again.”

Gautam said the bus was overloaded with people and goods. He demanded that authorities should take strict action against the bus owner and the driver, who fled as the bus started to steer out of control. “The government should ensure safe travel,” said Gautam.

Gautam, who sustained injuries in his head and neck, is undergoing treatment at the Trauma Centre. Another victim, Subhadra Giri, 17, of Kartike Deurali-4, said she had come to Kathmandu a week ago to seek treatment for ailments in her abdomen. “Since the bus was crammed and it was too hot [inside], I decided to sit on the roof,” said Giri. “As the bus began moving uncontrollably and fell down the hillside, I was thrown into a bush.”

Doctors said Giri has problems in her chest and is receiving emergency care.

According to the Department of Roads, at least 9,170 people died and 19,548 were seriously injured between 2001 and 2013 in road accidents. The department’s “Status Paper on Road Safety in Nepal” published in 2013 states that a majority of the accidents occur due to the negligence of drivers.

Yadav Koirala, spokesperson for the Home Ministry, said they have instructed police officials to book the guilty swiftly. “We have asked the traffic police to remain vigilant and take action against the [drivers of] overcrowded buses,” said Koirala.