As many as four persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed and 21 others sustained injuries in a head-on collision between a state bus anda tanker in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. The accident took place on Thursday on the Aligarh-Agra highway near Samamai village in Hathras.
The crash occurred around 4:30 pm when the Uttar Pradesh roadways bus, travelling from Aligarh toward Hathras, swerved to avoid hitting a motorcycle, resulting in a direct collision with a tanker coming from the opposite direction. The impact of the crash was severe, sending several passengers into panic, with some reportedly jumping out of the bus to save themselves.
Emergency teams, police, and local residents immediately reached the spot. The injured were initially taken to the community health centre in Sasni and later shifted to the district hospital.
Authorities confirmed that among the dead were Kuldeep (12), Maharaj Singh (50), Sonu (52), and Arjun (32), who worked as the bus conductor. Police said that one of the injured victims later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, increasing the death toll to four.
The condition of several injured passengers remains critical. Out of 21 injured, four were referred to Aligarh for advanced treatment, officials said. Soon after receiving information, top district officials, including District Magistrate (DM) Atul Vats and Superintendent of Police (SP) Chiranjiv Nath Sinha, reached the accident site and later visited the hospital to meet the injured.
DM Vats told reporters, “The accident occurred when the bus driver tried to save a biker, leading to a head-on collision with the tanker. Twelve injured persons have been brought here and the deaths of three people have been confirmed. A woman trapped under the bus was rescued. Efforts are being made to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.”
Police have initiated legal proceedings in connection with the incident and are investigating the exact cause of the collision. Authorities have also directed strict medical supervision and support for all victims to ensure their swift recovery.
(With inputs from PTI)