45 Injured as HRTC bus crashes in Kullu

Kullu, August 28

At least 45 people were injured after an Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus carrying more than 60 passengers met with an accident near Bajohan on the Bhekhli-Biasar road in Kullu. The injured were taken to Dhalpur Hospital, where they were undergoing treatment.

According to the preliminary investigation, the bus was travelling from Biasar towards Kullu when its brakes reportedly failed. The driver, in an attempt to prevent a more serious accident, steered the bus into a hillside. The road on the opposite side had a deep gorge, and the driver’s action reportedly helped avert a major tragedy.

Eight of the injured sustained minor injuries. All 45 injured people were taken to Dhalpur Hospital by ambulance following the accident.

As soon as the administration received information about the accident, police and administrative teams reached the spot. Five ambulances were immediately sent to the accident site to transport the injured to the hospital.

Hospital authorities called doctors and other medical staff to the facility despite it being a holiday, and treatment of the injured was started immediately. The accident also prompted relatives of passengers from Biasar village to reach Dhalpur Hospital, where a commotion continued for some time.

Kullu Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jaywanti Thakur and Chief Medical Officer Dr Ranjit Thakur also reached the hospital and reviewed the arrangements for treating the injured.

Rajendra Kumar, an injured passenger and eyewitness, said the driver’s presence of mind prevented a major accident. He said that had the driver not hit the bus against the hillside after the brakes failed, the consequences could have been much more serious. He added that more than 60 people were travelling on the bus from Biasar village towards Kullu.

SDM Jaywanti Thakur said five ambulances were sent to the spot immediately after the administration received information about the accident. She said all the injured were being treated at Kullu Hospital and were out of danger, with all possible assistance being provided.

CMO Dr Ranjit Thakur said a team of doctors reached the hospital immediately despite the holiday. He said 45 people had been brought to the hospital for treatment and were given first aid, adding that all were out of danger.