SURAT: At least 37 passengers, most of them students, were killed and 27 injured when a bus plunged into the River Purna from Khad Supa Bridge on Navsari-Bardoli Road, some 10 kilometres from Navsari Town and about 40 kilometres from Surat in the Navsari District. The bus operated by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) was on its way from Navsari to Songadh via Bardoli. Since it was an evening bus, many students were returning home from their schools and colleges from Navsari. Officials said the incident took place between 5.30pm and 6.00pm and the bus was carrying about 60 passengers. Several passengers were injured and rushed to different hospitals of Navsari Town. Navsari district collector Remya Mohan, who rushed to the scene, said the incident took place due to speeding. May be the driver took a wrong turn and the bus plunged into the River Purna, she added. As there was not much water in the river, the vehicle fell in the river with a very high impact.The rescue workers who rushed to the scene had to cut the top of the bus to rescue the injured. A big crane was required to lift the bus, but it was not available in the area. Mohan said, “We have sought all possible help from all private and government hospitals of Navsari and everybody is cooperating well.” She said that there was a big number of seriously injured people therefore the death toll could mount.