A tragic road accident occurred on Tuesday morning on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district, leaving more than 60 passengers injured after a speeding luxury bus overturned. The bus, traveling from Ludhiana to Azamgarh, met with the accident around 6 am near milestone 108 under the Dhanpatganj police station limits. The driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash, abandoning the injured passengers.
Overcrowding and Reckless Driving
According to initial reports, the private bus (registration number UP 22 AT 7227) was carrying over 100 passengers, significantly exceeding its capacity. Many of the passengers were migrant workers and families returning home. Survivors said the journey had been uncomfortable from the beginning due to overcrowding and erratic driving.
Several passengers, including Saniya, Lal Bahadur, Ompal, and Ramsurat, alleged that the bus was not being driven by the designated driver at the time of the accident. Instead, they claimed, the conductor or a helper (khalasi) had taken control of the vehicle. Passengers said the bus had been swerving and was being driven recklessly for some time. “The driver handed over the steering to the khalasi and went to sleep. The vehicle was already unstable, and suddenly it went out of control and overturned,” alleged Khushi and Shilpa, residents of Azamgarh who were on board. They further claimed that the bus had suffered a tyre puncture earlier during the journey, raising concerns about its roadworthiness before it resumed travel.
The Accident and Rescue
As the bus approached milestone 108 in the Dhanpatganj area, it reportedly lost balance due to high speed and possible mishandling, causing it to overturn on the expressway. The impact triggered panic among passengers, with many trapped inside the vehicle as cries for help filled the scene. Local residents, commuters, and passersby were the first to reach the accident site and immediately began rescue operations. With the help of basic tools and manpower, they managed to pull out several injured passengers from the mangled bus.
Emergency services were alerted promptly, and teams from the Dhanpatganj Community Health Centre rushed to the spot. Many injured passengers, who sustained minor injuries, were administered first aid on-site. Officials confirmed that at least 34 injured passengers were referred to Kurebhar hospital for further treatment. Among them, 12 were reported to be in critical condition and were subsequently shifted to the district hospital and then to a medical college for advanced care. The injured included men, women, and children, highlighting the severity of the accident.
Official Response and Investigation
Senior administrative and police officials reached the scene soon after receiving information about the accident. Those present included SDM Baldirai Praveen Kumar, Circle Officer Ashutosh, and Station House Officer Anju Mishra. They supervised the rescue efforts, ensured timely evacuation of the injured, and coordinated medical assistance. District Magistrate Indrajeet Singh stated that the administration acted swiftly to manage the situation. “A private bus coming from Ludhiana met with an accident around 6 am in the Baldirai area. Immediate rescue and relief operations were carried out. Injured passengers have been provided proper medical care,” he said.
Circle Officer Ashutosh said that preliminary investigation points towards overloading and possible driver fatigue as contributing factors. “There are also allegations that the bus was being driven by a conductor or helper. All aspects are being examined,” he added. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to determine the exact sequence of events, including whether safety norms were violated, the condition of the vehicle, and the role of the driver and conductor.
Concerns Over Passenger Safety
The incident once again raises serious concerns over passenger safety, overloading, and negligence by private bus operators on high-speed expressways in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has been urged to take strict action against errant operators and enforce safety regulations to prevent such accidents in the future.
