Goes to show the superiority of American traffic laws. You don't hear about this type of accident happening here! (They don't say whether the elephants were speeding or under the influence...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/234/world/Bus_driver_two_elephants_kille:.shtml

Bus driver, two elephants killed in collision on bridge in India

By Wasbir Hussain, Associated Press, 8/22/2001 06:12

GAUHATI, India (AP) A bus driver and two adult elephants were killed Wednesday when they collided on a bridge in northeastern India on Wednesday, police said.

At least 20 of 45 passengers aboard the bus were injured and traffic was blocked for eight hours until the elephants' bodies could be removed with cranes, said police in Assam state.

The accident occurred at 4:30 a.m. on the nearly 2-mile-long Saraighat road and rail bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Gauhati, the state capital, said police spokesman A. Islam.

The two elephant keepers were thrown into the river, according to a witness who did not wish to be identified. He said he did not know what happened to them.

The bridge, a vital link for the state capital of 2 million people, is patrolled by paramilitary soldiers. Elephants used for logging often cross the bridge.

The bus was traveling on an overnight route from Dimapur, in adjoining Nagaland state, and was bound for the western town of Barpeta a distance of 250 miles.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001