Vadodara (Rajeev Sharma): At least six people lost their lives and nearly 20 others sustained injuries after a private passenger bus crashed into a truck parked along the Vadodara-Halol highway in Gujarat during the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
The accident occurred near Kotambi village at approximately 4 am when the bus, carrying passengers from Rajasthan to Surat, struck the rear of the stationary truck with considerable force.
Police said the truck had been pulled over on the roadside while its driver was checking the vehicle’s tyres. Initial findings indicate that the bus failed to avoid the parked vehicle and collided with it, resulting in a devastating impact.
Witnesses and first responders described scenes of chaos as the front section of the luxury bus was mangled in the crash. Several passengers were trapped inside the damaged vehicle, prompting an immediate rescue effort.
Local police teams reached the spot soon after the incident and coordinated evacuation operations. Ambulances transported the injured to nearby medical facilities, where some victims are reported to be undergoing treatment for serious injuries.
Authorities said most of those travelling on the bus were residents of Rajasthan. The deceased include passengers seated in the front portion of the vehicle, which bore the brunt of the collision.
Due to the extensive damage caused by the crash, assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was sought to help remove debris and ensure that no passengers remained trapped inside the wreckage.
Senior police officials visited the site to oversee rescue operations and assess the situation. Traffic movement along the highway was partially disrupted for several hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the road.
An investigation has been launched to establish the precise cause of the accident. Officials are examining factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions and visibility at the time of the crash.
The incident adds to a growing list of highway accidents reported across the country and has once again drawn attention to concerns surrounding road safety during overnight travel.
