Major Highway Accident Involving LPG Truck Narrowly Avoids Catastrophe in Roorkee
A potentially disastrous road incident was narrowly averted on Sunday when a truck transporting a large consignment of LPG cylinders collided with a Haryana Roadways bus on the busy Manglaur-Bhagwanpur highway near Roorkee. The violent impact caused the truck to overturn, spilling its hazardous cargo of 288 gas cylinders across the roadway and creating a scene of chaos and danger.
Collision Details and Immediate Aftermath
According to official reports from the Gangnahar police, the truck was en route from the Landaura-based LPG depot to a storage godown in Roorkee, while the bus was traveling from Haridwar in the same direction. Preliminary investigations suggest the truck driver allegedly made an incorrect maneuver, striking the side of the bus with significant force. The collision occurred near the Paniyala area, with the truck ultimately overturning on the highway divider.
The front section of the Haryana Roadways bus sustained severe damage in the crash. More than half a dozen passengers aboard the bus suffered injuries of varying severity. Panic erupted immediately as LPG cylinders began rolling dangerously across the highway, posing a serious threat to all nearby.
Emergency Response and Community Assistance
Local farmers working in adjacent fields and passing motorists quickly rushed to the accident site upon witnessing the collision. These first responders provided crucial initial assistance to the injured passengers while simultaneously alerting emergency services. Police units and medical teams arrived promptly at the location, working efficiently to secure the area and transport the wounded to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The accident caused significant disruption to traffic flow along the important highway corridor. Authorities temporarily closed sections of the road as they worked to clear the scattered LPG cylinders and remove the damaged vehicles, ensuring no secondary accidents occurred.
Official Statement and Resolution
Station House Officer Mani Bhushan Srivastava provided details about the police response, stating, "We have impounded both vehicles involved in the collision for further investigation. All 288 LPG cylinders were safely recovered from the accident site and have been delivered to the concerned gas agency without incident."
The timely intervention of emergency services and community members helped prevent what could have escalated into a far more serious disaster, given the volatile nature of the truck's cargo. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about highway safety and the transportation of hazardous materials through populated areas.
