A blood sample taken from the deceased bus driver involved in Thursday’s Ella-Wellawaya road accident has been sent to the Government Analyst’s (GA) Department for testing, it is learned.

The Police said that the sample was submitted yesterday (7) to determine whether the driver had consumed alcohol at the time the accident occurred.

The accident occurred on Thursday night (4) near the 24th milepost on the Ella-Wellawaya road, when a bus veered off the road and plunged into a precipice, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals and injuries to 17 others. The bus driver was also among those killed in the accident.

Investigations are now underway to determine whether he had consumed any intoxicating substances prior to the crash. Of those who died, 12 were employees of the Tangalle Municipal Council. Their bodies have been handed over to their families, and funeral arrangements are expected to take place today (8), according to reports.

Meanwhile, 11 of the injured are still receiving treatment at the Badulla Teaching Hospital, hospital sources said yesterday.

Multiple agencies have commenced investigations into the crash, which is the latest such accident to take place in several months. The Government has said that they will review some regulatory processes and enforcement mechanisms to improve road safety, especially with public transport services.