Two killed, eight hurt in Patna-Bakhtiyarpur highway crash
Synopsis
A family returning from the Babadham pilgrimage never made it home. A speeding Bolero lost control on the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur four-lane highway, killing a mother and her son from Kushinagar and leaving eight others hospitalised — the latest deadly crash on one of Bihar's busiest corridors.
Key Takeaways
Phulmati Devi and her son Upendra Singh , residents of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh , were killed in the crash on 9 June .
The accident occurred on the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur four-lane highway when a speeding Bolero lost control, hit a tree, and overturned.
Eight others were injured, including driver Veer Kumar ; all are admitted to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) .
The family was returning from a pilgrimage to Babadham (Deoghar) at the time of the accident.
Bodies were sent to Barh Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem and later handed over to family members.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, confirmed SHO Devanand Sharma .
A woman and her son were killed, and eight others seriously injured after a speeding Bolero lost control and overturned on the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur four-lane highway in Patna district on Tuesday, 9 June. The victims were part of a family returning from a pilgrimage to Babadham (Deoghar) when the accident occurred, according to officials.
Who Died and Who Was Injured
The deceased have been identified as Phulmati Devi and her son Upendra Singh, both residents of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. The eight injured include the vehicle's driver, Veer Kumar, along with Nikki Devi, Pawan Kumar, Rukmani Devi, Renu Devi, Sanjana Singh, and Payal Kumari. All injured were initially treated at a nearby Community Health Centre before being referred to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna for advanced care.
How the Accident Happened
According to eyewitnesses, the Bolero was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a roadside tree, and overturned. Local residents rushed to the scene and helped free those trapped inside before police arrived and took charge.
The bodies of Phulmati Devi and Upendra Singh were sent to Barh Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination and were subsequently handed over to their family members.
What the Police Said
Devanand Sharma, Station House Officer (SHO) of Bakhtiyarpur, confirmed the incident and said the deceased's family was notified by phone. 'A speeding Bolero lost control on the Bakhtiyarpur four-lane highway, crashed into a tree, and overturned. A mother and son died in the accident, while eight others were injured and admitted to the hospital for treatment,' Sharma said.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash.
Broader Context
The Patna-Bakhtiyarpur stretch has seen repeated road accidents in recent years, raising concerns about speeding and enforcement on the corridor. This incident underscores the persistent danger on national and state highways where high-speed travel, overloading, and inadequate barriers remain common risk factors. The family had been on a religious trip to Deoghar in Jharkhand, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in eastern India, before tragedy struck on the return journey.
Authorities are expected to submit a detailed accident report following the post-mortem findings and witness statements.
Point of View
Yet fatalities continue to mount. The fact that a family returning from a religious journey was wiped out by a single loss of vehicle control points to a structural failure — not just driver error. Without sustained speed surveillance and roadside safety infrastructure, headline-grabbing highway expansions will keep producing headline-grabbing body counts.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims of the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur highway accident?
The two people killed were Phulmati Devi and her son Upendra Singh , residents of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. Eight others, including the driver Veer Kumar, were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at NMCH in Patna.
What caused the accident on the Bakhtiyarpur four-lane highway?
According to eyewitnesses, the Bolero was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road, crashed into a roadside tree, and overturned. Police have launched an investigation to confirm the exact cause.
Where are the injured being treated?
The eight injured victims were initially given first aid at a nearby Community Health Centre and subsequently transferred to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna for advanced medical treatment.
Why was the family travelling on the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur highway?
According to officials, the family was returning home to Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, after offering prayers at Babadham in Deoghar, Jharkhand — one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations in eastern India.
What action has the police taken after the crash?
Police reached the spot after being alerted, took charge of the situation, and sent the bodies for post-mortem to Barh Sub-Divisional Hospital. Bakhtiyarpur SHO Devanand Sharma confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause of the accident.
