What Happened When a Truck and Bus Collided Near Indore?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Eight individuals were injured in a bus-truck collision.
- A sleeper bus caught fire after the crash.
- Over 30 passengers escaped before the flames spread.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
- Timely emergency response was crucial yet delayed.
Indore, July 21 (NationPress) A sleeper bus traveling from Indore to Pune transformed into a fireball late Sunday evening following a crash with a container truck near Teehi village, located under the jurisdiction of the Kishanganj police station.
The incident took place around 8 p.m. on the Agra-Mumbai National Highway, just after the bus passed the Mhow bypass, according to police reports. The private travel company operated bus had left Indore at approximately 7 p.m., carrying around 40 passengers. Reports indicate that while the bus was moving steadily, it suddenly lurched, with smoke billowing from the front cabin. Shortly after, it collided head-on with a container truck, leading to the front section crumpling and igniting. Panic ensued among the passengers as flames quickly enveloped the front of the vehicle.
In the midst of the chaos, over 30 passengers managed to escape before the inferno took hold of the entire bus. Eight individuals, including the driver and a female passenger, suffered injuries from the crash. Although police have not confirmed any fatalities, they stated that the bus was completely consumed by flames before emergency services could respond.
The driver was trapped in the cabin and was rescued with difficulty by local residents who rushed to assist. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for care. The bus conductor mentioned that thick smoke was billowing from the container truck, which may have hindered the driver’s visibility, possibly leading to the accident.
The fire brigade was contacted immediately, but it reportedly took nearly half an hour to arrive, by which time the bus was entirely destroyed.
Many passengers, who lost their belongings in the blaze, appeared visibly shaken and traumatized. Traffic on the highway was delayed for several hours as police from Mhow and Pithampur arrived to manage the situation and initiate an investigation.
The bus operator arranged an alternate vehicle to transport the remaining passengers to Pune. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and the events leading to the collision.