Moradabad bus crash kills 3 of family, including pregnant woman and toddler
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Three members of a Sambhal-based family — a pregnant woman, her three-year-old daughter, and her sister — were killed on Tuesday, 16 June when a speeding Uttar Pradesh State Roadways bus rammed into their motorcycle near the Delhi bypass road on the banks of the Gaagan river in Moradabad. The sole survivor, the motorcycle's rider, was left in critical condition and is currently under medical supervision.
How the Accident Unfolded
The family of four was travelling on a single motorcycle, reportedly headed to Nagpur, when an out-of-control Roadways bus struck them from behind near the bypass road. The force of the collision was severe enough to fling all four occupants off the motorcycle. Identified as Mantasha, Simran, and a three-year-old girl, the three victims died on the spot. The rider, Junaid, suffered serious injuries and was admitted to hospital in a critical state.
Police Response and Search for Driver
The Katghar police reached the scene promptly after being informed and rushed the victims to the district hospital, where doctors declared all three dead on arrival. Authorities have since impounded the Roadways bus and launched a manhunt for the driver, who fled the scene immediately after the crash. 'The accident took place when a Sambhal-based family was going to Nagpur on a motorbike. Junaid, who was driving the bike, is admitted to the hospital while his wife, sister-in-law and daughter succumbed to the injuries,' a police official said.
Chaos and Community Response
The collision triggered immediate chaos on the bypass road. Local residents rushed to the spot and, alongside police personnel, helped transport the injured to the nearest hospital. Despite their efforts, three of the four victims could not be saved. The sight of a young family — including a pregnant woman and a toddler — crushed under a state bus drew widespread anguish from bystanders.
Broader Context: Road Safety in UP
This tragedy comes amid persistent concerns over road safety on Uttar Pradesh's national and state highways, where overspeeding buses and overloaded two-wheelers are frequently cited in fatal accidents. The Moradabad bypass, a high-traffic corridor connecting Delhi to eastern UP, has seen multiple road fatalities in recent years. Critics argue that stricter enforcement of speed limits on state Roadways buses and accountability for drivers who flee accident scenes remain critical gaps in the system.