Patna: At least five people were killed and five others seriously injured after a speeding bus ploughed into a group of people watching a cultural programme along National Highway 727 in Bihar’s Champaran district on Friday night.
The bus was travelling from Gorakhpur to Bettiah when the accident occurred. According to eyewitnesses, the driver lost control of the vehicle after a truck carrying gas cylinders approached from the opposite direction.
The driver reportedly swerved towards the roadside to avoid a head-on collision, hitting people who had gathered to watch the cultural programme.
Two people died on the spot, while three others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Sanjay Mahto, Bhola Dubey, Bahadur Mahto, Devendra Dubey and Changur Ram. The five injured victims are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the crash and determine whether the bus driver’s alleged negligence and overspeeding caused the accident.