Jaipur, April 9 (IANS) Two people lost their lives, and more than 15 others were injured in a horrific road accident late on Wednesday night on National Highway 48, the route connecting Delhi and Jaipur, officials said on Thursday.

The incident occurred on a bridge near BDM Hospital in Kotputli when a private bus traveling from Makrana to Haridwar rammed into a stationary trailer. Steel rods loaded onto the trailer pierced through the front of the bus, killing the driver and a female passenger on the spot.

The impact left the front portion of the bus completely mangled and triggered panic among passengers.

According to reports, the bus was carrying around 22 passengers and was en route to Haridwar. At approximately midnight, it reached a bridge near BDM Hospital, where a trailer loaded with steel rods had been parked. The area was reportedly dark, and the trailer lacked warning signs or hazard lights.

It is suspected that the bus driver failed to notice the stationary trailer in time. Due to the vehicle’s speed, he lost control, causing the bus to crash into the rear of the trailer.

The protruding steel rods tore through the driver’s cabin and extended deep into the bus. The driver, Chandramohan (55), a resident of Ladoli village in Nagaur, and a female passenger, Bichhu Devi, died instantly. At least 16 other passengers sustained injuries.

Hearing a loud crash and cries for help, local residents rushed to the scene and helped rescue trapped passengers. Several individuals were stuck inside the wreckage due to the severe damage to the front section of the bus. Police from Kotputli arrived shortly after being alerted and launched rescue and relief operations.

The injured were taken to the Government BDM Hospital, where they received first aid and were later discharged. Traffic on the highway was temporarily disrupted but was restored after authorities cleared the damaged vehicles.

Omprakash, the bus’s second driver who survived the crash, stated that the trailer was parked unattended in the dark without any warning indicators. The trailer driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Kotputli SHO Rajesh Sharma confirmed that traffic has since been normalised and said further action will be taken once a formal complaint is filed.

–IANS

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