Jabalpur, May 5 (IANS) Several passengers were injured, including six in critical condition, after a passenger bus overturned following a collision with a tractor-trolley in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district on Tuesday.

According to the police, the accident occurred between 10:30 to 11 a.m. near Gosalpur on National Highway-30.

The bus, which was travelling from Katni to Jabalpur, reportedly rammed into a tractor-trolley loaded with wheat while attempting to overtake it.

“The impact caused the tractor to overturn, and the bus lost control and flipped over, leaving a large number of passengers injured,” according to the police.

However, no casualty was reported so far, according to the police.

Local residents were the first to respond and played a key role in the rescue operation.

They pulled out injured passengers trapped inside the bus and immediately informed the police and emergency services.

Police teams from Gosalpur and Sihora stations reached the spot soon after receiving information.

Rescue efforts were carried out with the help of ‘Dial 108’ ambulance services and private vehicles, which were used to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

According to the police, 18 injured passengers are being treated at Gosalpur, while 21 others have been admitted to Sihora Civil Hospital.

Six critically injured passengers have been referred to the Medical College in Jabalpur for advanced treatment, where their condition is being closely monitored.

Gosalpur Station In-charge Gajivati Pusham said that preliminary investigation suggests the accident occurred due to the negligence of the bus driver.

“The driver attempted to overtake the tractor, which led to the collision,” the official said, adding that the driver has been detained and the vehicle seized.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, including speed and adherence to traffic rules.

Police have also taken the bus driver into custody, with initial findings pointing to negligence.

–IANS

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