A tragic accident occurred on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Unnao district early this morning when a sleeper bus collided with a car and fell off the expressway, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The incident took place near the Bangermau area around 3:30 AM.
Details of the Accident
The sleeper bus, traveling from Delhi to Gorakhpur, was at high speed when it hit a car from behind. The collision caused the bus to veer off the road and fall into a ditch. Rescue operations were launched immediately by local police and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) teams. According to officials, at least 18 people have been killed and over 30 injured, with some in critical condition.
Response from Authorities
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He directed officials to ensure prompt medical treatment for the injured and ordered a probe into the accident. District Magistrate Unnao and Superintendent of Police reached the spot to oversee rescue efforts.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local residents reported hearing a loud crash and rushed to help. "We saw the bus overturned in the ditch. Many passengers were trapped inside. We tried to pull them out before the rescue teams arrived," said a villager. The injured have been admitted to district hospital Unnao and nearby medical facilities.
Impact and Investigations
The accident has raised concerns over road safety on expressways. Preliminary investigations suggest overspeeding and possible driver fatigue. The bus driver is among the deceased. Authorities are examining the bus's black box to determine the exact cause. The expressway was closed for a few hours but later reopened for traffic.
