LUCKNOW: At least four passengers were killed and four others injured after an AC bus travelling at around 100 kmph crashed into a trailer on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Ambedkar Nagar district early Friday morning.Police suspect the bus driver may have dozed off at the wheel.The accident took place around 5am in the Jaitpur police station area, nearly 50km from the district headquarters. The bus, carrying around 50 passengers, was travelling from Delhi to Darbhanga in Bihar when it collided with the trailer.According to Additional Superintendent of Police Tejveer Singh, a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus driver may have fallen asleep while driving, resulting in the crash. The bus was reportedly travelling at close to 100 kmph when the accident occurred.The impact was so severe that the left side of the nearly 40-foot-long bus was completely ripped open. Several passengers, most of whom were asleep at the time, became trapped inside the mangled vehicle. The collision triggered panic and screams among the passengers.Police teams reached the spot soon after being alerted and, with the help of passers-by, launched a rescue operation. As several passengers were trapped inside the badly damaged bus, rescuers had to cut open parts of the vehicle and break its windows to pull them out. The rescue operation continued for around 40 minutes.The injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. At least four passengers were reported to be seriously injured.
Three drivers flee after crash
The bus driver, conductor and trailer driver reportedly fled the spot after the accident. Police have launched efforts to trace them, while further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events.The bus was identified as belonging to Tighra Express Travels.
One of four deceased identified
Most of the passengers travelling on the bus were from Bihar. One of the four deceased was identified as Sachin Kumar, 30, a resident of Bihar. Police are working to establish the identities of the other three victims.Among those injured were Sumit Mishra, 33; Sumit Anand, 40; and Rinku Kumari, 45.
Trailer carrying tiles
The trailer was travelling from Rajasthan to Bihar and was carrying a load of tiles. Following the collision, the tiles spilled onto the expressway.Police said the exact cause of the accident would be determined after examining the damaged vehicles, collecting witness statements and establishing the circumstances surrounding the bus driver’s suspected drowsiness and the vehicle’s speed.The incident has once again highlighted the risks of driving long-distance passenger vehicles at high speeds when drivers are fatigued or drowsy, particularly during the early morning hours when visibility and alertness can be reduced.
