Six people died and 21 were injured when a bus carrying devotees returning from the Baisakhi fair overturned in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. The accident occurred after hitting an electric pole due to a technical fault.
Fatehgarh: A major road accident occurred when a bus carrying devotees returning from Baisakhi fair overturned in Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab. In this tragic accident, 6 people died, while 21 others were injured. Women and children are also among the injured. After the accident, there was chaos in the entire area and the local people immediately started relief and rescue operations.
The accident occurred late at night when the devotees traveling in the bus were returning to their village after attending the Baisakhi fair at Anandpur Sahib.
How did the accident happen?
According to preliminary information, there were about 40 devotees in the bus. All the passengers were returning from Anandpur Sahib to village Main Majri in Fatehgarh Sahib district after celebrating Baisakhi festival.
On the way, the bus suddenly encountered a technical fault near village Himmatpura. The driver tried to control the vehicle, but the bus went out of control. At high speed, the bus collided with an electric pole on the roadside and overturned.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus got electrocuted immediately after it overturned, which further increased the troubles of the passengers trapped inside.
There was commotion after the accident
As soon as the bus overturned, there was an outcry at the spot. Due to it being night time, initially there was difficulty in getting help to the passengers, but the nearby villagers immediately reached the spot.
Local people risked their lives and rescued the pilgrims trapped in the bus. Many people were trapped between the seats and windows of the bus. The villagers brought the people out safely by breaking the glass and opening the doors.
Shortly after the accident, police and administration teams also reached the spot.
Treatment of the injured continues
21 people injured in the accident were immediately admitted to different hospitals. These:
12 injured were sent to Morinda hospital
9 injured were admitted to Fatehgarh Sahib hospital.
The seriously injured devotees have been referred to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI Chandigarh) for better treatment.
According to hospital sources, the condition of some of the injured still remains critical.
The destination was just 1.5 kilometers away from the village.
According to police officials, the devotees traveling in the bus were about to reach their homes. His village Main Majri was just 1.5 kilometers away from the accident site.
Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police, Dr. Shubham Aggarwal said that as soon as information about the accident was received, the police team immediately reached the spot.
He said that local villagers also played an important role in the relief work. Arrangements were made to take the injured to the hospital in the night itself.
Villagers saved many lives
Local villagers say that they were present nearby at the time of the accident. As soon as the sound of the bus overturning was heard, they reached the spot.
According to the villagers, the devotees had moved ahead after having food some time ago. The accident happened so suddenly that the passengers did not get a chance to recover.
Villagers said that the ambulance arrived late, so the initial rescue work was handled by the villagers themselves. If the villagers had not reached for help in time, the death toll could have increased further.
Devotees were returning from Baisakhi fair
All the victims of the accident were returning after attending a religious fair organized at Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Baisakhi festival. Baisakhi is a very important festival for Punjab and the Sikh community.
Every year lakhs of devotees come to pay obeisance at Gurudwaras and religious places. In such a situation, this accident has turned out to be a big tragedy in the midst of a religious festival.
Leaders expressed grief
Many leaders and social organizations have expressed grief over this tragic accident.
Expressing condolences on social media, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the news of the death of devotees is very sad. He prayed for the peace of the departed souls and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Questions raised again on road safety
This accident has once again raised questions on road safety, technical inspection of public transport and emergency relief arrangements.
Experts believe that:
- Technical inspection of long distance buses should be regular
- Drivers should be especially cautious during festivals and rush hours
- Emergency medical response must be rapid
- The network of relief services in rural areas should be strengthened
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