I was there not too long ago...

Read this in the paper this morning (Times of India):

24 foreigners hurt in bus mishap

"At least 24 foreigners were injured when the bus in which they were travelling overturned near Mcleodganj Saturday night, the police said Monday. The injured have been admitted to local hospitals. Roi (30) and Yifat (27) from Israel, who were also on the bus, described it as a "miraculous escape."

This seems to be a little more than a "mishap." I was in Mcleodganj about 2 months ago and can tell you that the roads in that area are conducive to accidents like this. I remember seeing one bus that had flipped with plants and flowers growing inside. No surprise either that the bus was probably full of Israelis. It's a popular place for them. I was mistaken for an Israeli a number of times in Mcleodganj. The city even boasts a number of Israeli restaurants.

Speaking of Indian bus accidents, I do remember hearing about them back in Canada. Buses seemed to flip all the time, not to mention the trains that collided with each other. Yet for some reason, I don't have second thoughts about getting on an Indian local bus. I guess you just have to trust the drivers, even if they make a stop for a bottle of Officer's Choice whisky to calm their nerves.