Bihar: Five killed as bus crashes into roadside orchestra event in Bettiah, several injured

Patna: A tragic road accident in Bihar’s West Champaran district claimed the lives of five people, after a passenger bus veered off the road and crashed into a roadside orchestra performance in the Lauriya police station area.

The fatal accident occurred near Parau Tola Bankatwa on the Bettiah-Lauriya main road on late Friday night, where an orchestra programme had been organised as part of a Chhathiyar ceremony at the residence of Shatrughan Dubey.

According to eyewitnesses, a passenger bus of Shahi Travels was travelling from Gorakhpur towards Bettiah was approaching the area around 11.50 pm, when a speeding truck came from the opposite direction.

While attempting to avoid a collision, the bus reportedly lost control and rammed into the gathering beside the road.

Five people died at the scene. The deceased have been identified as Bahadur Mahto, Sanjay Kumar, Bhola Dubey, Devendra Dubey and Chhangur Ram, all residents of Bankatwa.

Devendra Dubey was the father of the child whose Chhathiyar ceremony was being celebrated.

More than half a dozen people were injured in the accident, including Vinay Kumar Yadav, Shyam Babu, Moti Chandra Mahto and Naresh Ram.

Police and local residents rushed the injured to GMCH Bettiah for treatment.

The accident triggered anger among local residents, who damaged the bus and truck involved in the collision.

Narkatiaganj SDPO Jayprakash Singh reached the spot and helped bring the situation under control.

Police took custody of the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examinations at GMCH. An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances that led to the crash.

West Champaran police registered an FIR under rash and negligent driving against the drivers of the bus and truck, and are making efforts to nab them. They are on the run.

The tragedy plunged the Bankatwa village into mourning, with the families of the deceased devastated by the loss.

The incident has also raised concerns about organising large public gatherings and roadside events without adequate safety measures or sufficient clearance for passing traffic.

IANS