Bodh Gaya road accident: 2 killed as car catches fire after truck collision on Dobhi-Patna highway
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two people were killed and one person critically injured on Thursday after a car burst into flames following a collision with a fertiliser-laden truck near Sijua Mor on the Dobhi-Patna four-lane highway in Bihar's Gaya district. The accident, which occurred at around 1:30 a.m. under the jurisdiction of Bodh Gaya Police Station, triggered an immediate rescue operation by local authorities.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to police, the truck was allegedly travelling in the wrong direction, entering the main highway from an approach road, when the speeding car collided with the vehicle's diesel tank. The impact ignited a massive fire, engulfing the car almost instantly. Two occupants trapped inside the vehicle could not escape and died at the scene. The car was completely destroyed, and a significant portion of the truck was also damaged.
The exact sequence of events is yet to be confirmed pending a detailed investigation, police said.
Victims and the Survivor
The identities of the two deceased have not yet been established. Their bodies were recovered from the burnt vehicle and sent to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH) in Gaya for post-mortem examinations. Officials said identification will be completed once family members come forward.
The third occupant, Rishabh Kumar, a resident of Madhaul village in Vaishali district and son of Shyam Nandan Singh, sustained critical injuries. He was first taken to a nearby hospital before being referred to Patna for advanced treatment. According to his family, he was returning from Ranchi at the time of the crash.
Truck Driver Absconds, Police Launch Search
Bodh Gaya Station House Officer Arvind Kumar Singh confirmed that both bodies have been dispatched for post-mortem and efforts are underway to identify the deceased. He noted that investigators were unable to record a detailed statement from the injured survivor due to the severity of his condition.
Following the collision, the truck driver and his helper fled the scene before police arrived. Personnel from Bodh Gaya Police Station subsequently carried out rescue and recovery operations, cleared the damaged vehicles, and restored traffic on the highway. A search is now underway for the absconding driver and helper.
Road Safety Context
The Dobhi-Patna four-lane highway has witnessed multiple fatal accidents in recent years, with wrong-way driving and night-time collisions among the leading causes. This incident adds to a pattern of deadly crashes on Bihar's national and state highway stretches, where enforcement of traffic rules — particularly for heavy vehicles — remains a persistent concern.