A tragic road accident unfolded on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur early Thursday morning after a high-speed truck rammed into a passenger-laden private bus from behind. The violent collision triggered panic and chaos among passengers, resulting in the tragic deaths of three travelers and leaving 16 others injured. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM near kilometer marker 96.5 within the jurisdiction of the Baldirai police station.
Bus Journeying from Gurugram to Bihar Meets with Disaster
The private bus was carrying passengers from Gurugram in Haryana to destinations across Bihar. As most travelers were asleep during the early morning hours, the trailing truck crashed into the rear of the bus with immense force, severely damaging the vehicle. Alarmed by the loud crash and cries for help, nearby residents rushed to the scene to assist victims and alert local authorities.
Swift Rescue Operations and Hospitalization of Victims
Upon receiving news of the crash, senior administrative and police officials arrived promptly at the site to direct rescue efforts. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Prabhat Singh, Baldirai Circle Officer (CO) Ashutosh Kumar, and Station House Officer (SHO) Mahendra Pratap Singh, supported by police personnel and locals, launched immediate rescue measures to extricate trapped passengers from the wrecked bus.
The emergency teams arranged prompt medical care for all 16 injured individuals. Medical responders admitted 11 injured passengers to the 100-bed hospital in Kumarganj. Meanwhile, medical personnel transferred five critically injured victims to the Ayodhya District Hospital for specialized treatment. Police took custody of the bodies of the three deceased passengers and dispatched them for post-mortem examination.
Overcrowding Allegations Raised as Administration Probes Cause
One of the bus passengers, Ghanshyam Tiwari, stated that the vehicle was packed beyond its capacity, alleging severe overcrowding. Administrative authorities noted that they are investigating these claims alongside other potential causes of the accident.
Circle Officer Ashutosh Kumar confirmed that police teams dispatched immediately following a notification via the PRB network, completing rescue operations and initiating legal formalities. District Magistrate Indrajit Singh affirmed that comprehensive medical treatment and support are being provided to all injured persons. Officials cleared the damaged vehicles from the roadway, successfully restoring normal traffic flow on the Purvanchal Expressway while continuing their inquiry into the collision.
Broader Concerns Over Highway Traffic Safety
This collision highlights recurring safety challenges on major expressways across Uttar Pradesh. Earlier this month, a school bus collided with an e-rickshaw in Deoria district, an incident that claimed the life of the rickshaw driver and left 13 people injured.
