Bus-Trolley Collision on Mandsaur-Ratlam Highway Injures Five Passengers
In a distressing early morning incident, five passengers sustained injuries after a sleeper bus violently collided with a cement-laden trolley on the Mandsaur-Ratlam four-lane highway. The accident occurred near Kalukheda Fanta under the Dhodhar outpost limits in Ratlam district early Saturday, as confirmed by local police authorities.
Details of the Highway Collision
The bus, which was transporting passengers from Jodhpur to Indore, was reportedly speeding when the crash happened around 7 am. According to preliminary police reports, the trolley ahead slowed down while crossing a speed breaker on the stretch. This sudden deceleration left the bus driver with insufficient time to react, leading to a catastrophic rear-end collision.
The impact was severe, crushing the front portion of the bus completely. The driver's side of the vehicle suffered extensive damage, and the front windscreen shattered into pieces. Most passengers were asleep at the time, and the abrupt collision triggered immediate panic inside the bus, with individuals waking up to screams and chaos.
Rescue Operations and Aftermath
Local residents quickly rushed to the scene to assist the trapped passengers. A police team, led by Dhodhar outpost in-charge Raghuveer Joshi, arrived promptly and initiated coordinated rescue operations. The injured passengers were carefully extracted from the mangled bus and transported to the government hospital in Jaora for urgent medical treatment.
The accident caused a temporary disruption of traffic on one side of the busy highway. Authorities deployed a crane to separate the entangled bus and trolley, clearing the road to restore normal movement. In a concerning development, the bus driver fled the spot immediately after the crash, prompting an active search by the police.
Police Investigation and Statements
Jaora Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Sandeep Malviya provided insights into the ongoing investigation. He stated that the preliminary probe indicates the bus driver failed to control the vehicle's speed as the trolley slowed down at the speed breaker, directly leading to the collision. The police are continuing their efforts to locate the absconding driver and gather further evidence to determine the exact causes and potential negligence involved in this unfortunate highway accident.
