Five people lost their lives and more than 20 others were injured after a passenger bus collided with a car and overturned on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district on Wednesday morning. Police said preliminary findings suggest the bus driver may have fallen asleep while driving.
The accident took place near kilometre marker 230.800 under the Bangarmau police station limits. The bus was travelling from Haryana to Bihar when it reportedly lost control, rammed into a car carrying nine occupants and overturned a short distance away. The collision left the car mangled.
Officials said five people travelling in the car died at the scene, while three others sustained critical injuries. They were first taken to the Bangarmau Community Health Centre before being referred to the Lucknow Trauma Centre for specialised treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Dhunmun (60), Vinod (45), who was driving the car, Anju (40), Amrita (13) and Divya (6).
More than 17 passengers travelling on the bus were also injured after it overturned. Most suffered minor injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital. Several passengers were discharged after receiving primary medical care.
Police suspect driver fatigue
Preliminary findings suggest the bus driver may have dozed off at the wheel before the vehicle veered out of control, according to the Superintendent of Police’s Public Relations Officer. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.
Police, rescue personnel and district administration officials rushed to the accident site soon after receiving information. Rescue operations were launched immediately. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police inspected the scene and later visited the hospital to review treatment arrangements for the injured.
The damaged vehicles were removed from the expressway to restore traffic movement. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination.
CM Yogi expresses grief, orders assistance
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the accident and expressed condolences to the families of those who died.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured, spoke with the bereaved families and instructed the administration to extend all possible assistance. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Police said further investigation into the accident is underway, and additional details are awaited.