Mumbai: A devastating accident involving a state transport bus and a container truck has resulted in the loss of six lives and has left 25 individuals, including the bus conductor, injured, according to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The collision occurred on Tuesday morning around 7:20 am near Sindkhed Raja town, situated on the old Mumbai-Nagpur highway.
According to officials, the state transport bus, carrying 33 passengers, was en route from Pune to Mehkar in Buldhana when it collided with the container truck in Palaskhed Chakka village. The impact of the collision claimed the lives of four bus passengers and both drivers involved.
Two injured critical
The deceased individuals have been identified as Raju Tukaram Kulal (42), the bus driver, Saikarna Ramdas Khillare (45), Vanmala Kishore Pawar (30), Sima Someshwar Joshi (50), and Sheshrao Uttamrao Kharabe (65), who were passengers on the bus. The identity of the container truck driver is yet to be determined.
"Three of the injured victims were promptly transported to a rural medical facility in Sindkhed Raja town, while another 15 were transferred to a hospital in the nearby district of Jalna. Among the 15 individuals taken to Jalna, two were reported to be in serious condition. The remaining injured passengers received primary medical aid before being allowed to return to their homes," said MSRTC officials.
CM expresses grief
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his condolences for the accident involving the Pune to Mehkar bus and the container truck near Palaskhedi Chakka village in Sindkhed Raja. The Chief Minister has directed the state transport corporation to provide immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the heirs of the deceased and ensure that the injured passengers receive proper medical treatment at the government's expense. Upon learning about the accident, the Chief Minister obtained information from the transport department and instructed the administration to extend assistance to the passengers and their relatives.
Preliminary reports indicate that the collision occurred due to the truck's high speed, but a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and any other contributing factors. Authorities are meticulously examining the incident to gain a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
