Lalgarh: A bus carrying a group of tribals on their way to a meeting fell into a trench on a state highway near Chitka forest in the Lalgarh area, resulting in the death of seven and serious injuries to at least 40 others.

The bus, carrying 55 passengers, was going to Belpahari for an adivasi sabha when it fell into a trench near the Midnapore-Jhargram border. The bus was a private vehicle chartered by the sabha. The driver fled the scene of the accident and is absconding.

The deceased were identified as Basu Kisku, Nepal Hazra, Sambhu Soren, Tuku Kisku, Bhagirath Besorah and Nirmal Tudu, all aged in their late 20s to early 30s. Another's identity is still unknown.

According to sources, the bus was travelling at 90 kilometres per hour around 2pm on Saturday when it encountered a turn. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it fell into a trench.

Of the 55 passengers, a few were travelling atop the bus. They were flung off and crushed under the bus.

Mithu Hatta, 28, a passenger from Chandrakoni in West Midnapore, said: "We could see a turn approaching... but we were still travelling at a high speed."

"I remember nothing after I felt the bus overturn. I regained consciousness here," said Hatta at the Lalgarh Block Hospital.

People from the neighbouring areas and passers-by came to the rescue, initially rushing the dead and the injured to the block hospital. From there, the authorities transferred the grievously injured to the Midnapore Medical College.

Physicians said of the 40 who sustained serious injuries, at least 10 are in a critical condition.

West Midnapore police chief Alok Rajoria said police visited the injured at the Midnapore Medical College and have assured speedy assistance and justice.