LUCKNOW: A double-decker bus hit a moving van, claimed six lives, including three women and left seven others injured on early Tuesday in the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.
The deceased individuals were travelling in the van. The mishap took place near milestone 141 on the Yamuna Expressway, close to Garhi Hariya village under Sadabad police station limits, as early as 4:30 am.
The impact of the double-decker bus hitting the van was so severe that the van was flung nearly 10 feet away, with its rear portion completely mangled. The front section of the bus was also damaged.
Fortunately, passengers on the bus escaped unharmed.
The bus was travelling from Delhi to Gorakhpur, and the van was en route to Dholpur from Delhi. The crash triggered chaos at the scene, leading to a long traffic jam on the Expressway before authorities cleared the route.
"The van, carrying 13 passengers, was on its way from Prem Nagar in Delhi to Rajakhera in Dholpur district of Rajasthan when it was hit from behind by the sleeper bus," Additional Superintendent of Police Ram Anand Kushwaha said.
Superintendent of Police Chiranjiv Nath Sinha said the accident occurred when the bus was attempting to overtake the Eeco van.
The bus driver, operator and conductor were arrested.
A case was also registered under the relevant sections of BNS.
“Strict action will also be taken against the bus owner and others associated with the vehicle,” Sinha said.
The deceased were identified as Dinesh (50), his wife Sunita (48), Vijay Baghel (27), his wife Pinki Baghel (26), Lokesh (35), and Nathu Devi (65).
All the occupants of the van were residents of Prem Nagar, Delhi, and belonged to different families travelling to Dholpur.
Two victims are yet to be identified.
All the deceased are reported to be residents of Gangoli village in Rajakhera, Rajasthan.
However, the van driver escaped unhurt, police said.
Seven others, including four children, two men and a woman, suffered serious injuries.
Those hurt in the accident included Manoj, son of Suresh; Aryan (8) and Anshu (6), sons of Ajay; Lakshya (1), son of deceased Vijay; Prachi (3), his daughter; and their relative Poonam Baghel (15).
All are residents of Rajakhera.
The injured children were referred to SN Medical College in Agra for treatment, where two of them were stated to be out of danger. Police said preliminary investigation suggests that overspeeding and negligence are possible causes of the accident.
The bus driver is currently being questioned.