Washim: Nineteen individuals sustained injuries, with four in critical condition, following a collision between a private bus and a truck on the Samruddhi Expressway in Washim district early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. near Kavardari, on the stretch between Shelu Bazar and Malegaon.
Details of the Accident
The Sanjay Travels bus, carrying 34 passengers from Nagpur to Pune, rear-ended a tipper truck. The impact completely destroyed the front portion of the bus. The four critically injured victims, including the bus driver and the cleaner, were immediately transferred to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Washim. The remaining 15 individuals with minor injuries are also receiving treatment at the same medical facility.
Rescue Operations
Highway police and emergency rescue teams arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the alert. They worked to extract the injured from the mangled vehicle. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with injured passengers crying out for assistance.
Investigation Underway
Jaulka police station in-charge Kishor Wankhede stated, "We are investigating the reasons for the crash. As of now, our priority is to ensure that the injured receive proper medical care and that their relatives are informed." He added that authorities are examining whether the accident was caused by driver fatigue, a technical malfunction, or another factor. Preliminary findings suggest the driver may have lost control of the bus before colliding with the truck ahead. The bus's logbook, the driver's hours of service, and the vehicle's condition will be scrutinized as part of the inquiry, Wankhede noted.
