Driver, helper killed, 27 riders hurt as bus crashes on Agra highway

Kanpur: The driver and his helper were killed and 27 passengers were injured as sleeper bus collided with a damaged stationary truck on the Agra-Kanpur National Highway in Etawah district on Wednesday morning.

The bus left Varanasi for Delhi on late Tuesday evening.Police said the bus, travelling from Varanasi to Delhi, rammed into the truck from behind near ITI Chauraha on the Agra-Kanpur National Highway. The collision severely damaged the front portion of the bus, trapping the driver and helper inside.The dead were identified as driver Prem (35), resident of Baghpat and helper Deepak (22). Police pulled the bodies out of the mangled vehicle after considerable effort.Police and relief and rescue teams reached the spot and sent the injured by ambulance to the district hospital. A total of 42 passengers were on board the bus. The 27 injured passengers received treatment at the district hospital, and after first aid, the doctor discharged several passengers with minor injuries, while treatment of some seriously injured passengers continued, said Dr Rahul Babu.Traffic on the highway remained affected for some time after the accident.

Police removed the damaged bus and truck and restored normal traffic, said Civil Lines police station in charge.Passengers said the bus was at high speed and the accident occurred because the was drowsy. Simran S Singh told TOI that the driver was not well in control of the bus. “All passengers felt uneasy and at 4:05 am, the bus crashed because of the driver’s negligence,” said Singh.