Deadly Bus Crash in Central Delhi Claims Two Lives, Leaves 21 Injured
A tragic road accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday near Jhandewalan Temple in central Delhi, resulting in two fatalities and 21 injuries. A private sleeper bus, operating between Jaipur and Delhi, lost control and overturned after striking a park boundary wall and an electric pole.
Details of the Incident and Rescue Operations
The incident was reported around 1 am on Wednesday when police on patrol discovered the overturned Rajasthan-registered tourist bus near Hanuman Mandir in Chambery. The bus, with a capacity of approximately 70 passengers, was on the final leg of its journey from Jaipur to Fatehpuri in Sadar Bazar, Delhi. At the time of the accident, it carried about 30 passengers, with some having disembarked earlier, leaving 23 individuals on board when it overturned.
Emergency response teams, including two fire service vehicles, rushed to the scene. Rescue workers used a passing JCB to lift the bus and employed cutters to open the emergency exit, ensuring no one remained trapped inside. All 23 injured passengers were transported to hospitals: 12 to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (where two later succumbed to injuries), 10 in critical condition to Ganga Ram Hospital, and one to Lady Hardinge Medical College.
Victims and Driver Information
The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Kumar, 23, from Chhattisgarh, and Shehbaj Alam, 30, from Uttar Pradesh. The driver, Pankaj Kumar, 26, was detained and is receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Police suspect that he may have dozed off or been driving at excessive speed, and he will be questioned upon discharge from the hospital.
Impact and Local Reactions
The force of the crash demolished an electric pole and damaged the park's boundary wall. While some witnesses claimed the bus hit another pole, police denied this assertion. Murari Lal, a 60-year-old rickshaw puller who sleeps nearby, reported that the electric pole likely saved his life as the bus came dangerously close. The area, which houses at least four schools, witnessed significant disruption due to the accident.
A case has been registered at the Karol Bagh police station, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of this devastating incident.
