A tragic accident occurred on the national highway at Bhikhanpur, in the Ahiyapur police station area of Muzaffarpur district. A high-speed truck collided violently with an empty bus coming from Sitamarhi towards Muzaffarpur. The accident took place during an overtake attempt, leaving the bus driver and his assistant injured. Fortunately, there were no passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, which prevented any potential loss of life.
Overtaking Attempt Leads to Severe Collision
According to eyewitnesses and the bus driver, the accident occurred due to the rush to overtake. The driver explained that he was taking the empty bus to Muzaffarpur for repairs. Only his assistant was on board at the time. As they reached Bhikhanpur on the national highway, a high-speed truck coming from the opposite direction attempted to overtake the bus. In this maneuver, both vehicles collided head-on. The collision was so powerful that the front part of the bus was completely crushed, and the windshield shattered into pieces.
As a result of the crash, the bus driver’s hand was severed, and his assistant sustained injuries. The aftermath of the collision created chaos on the road, and locals rushed to the spot to help the injured. Several people mentioned that if there had been passengers on the bus, the situation could have been far worse.
Locals Rush to Help the Injured
After the accident, a large crowd gathered at the scene. Local youths were the first to offer assistance, providing water and attempting to give first aid to the injured. They immediately informed the police about the incident. Many people gathered around the damaged bus, inspecting it and expressing their anger over the truck driver’s escape. According to locals, such accidents frequently occur on this highway due to speeding vehicles, and overtaking further increases the risk of such crashes.
Truck Driver Flees After the Accident
Following the collision, the truck driver fled the scene, taking advantage of the chaos. Witnesses reported that after the collision, the truck dragged for some distance before coming to a stop, and the driver jumped out and ran away. Several people attempted to note down the truck’s number, but due to the high speed and the confusion at the scene, clear details could not be gathered.
Police Take Control, Investigation Underway
Upon receiving information, the Ahiyapur police team arrived at the scene and took control of the situation. Ahiyapur police station in-charge, Rohan Kumar, stated that the accident appeared to be the result of speeding and reckless overtaking. He confirmed that the injured individuals were immediately sent to the hospital and that the bus was removed from the road to restore normal traffic flow.
The police have inspected the accident site, collected evidence, and initiated a search for the truck involved in the collision. The station in-charge mentioned that eyewitnesses were being questioned continuously to identify the truck’s registration number and trace the driver. He assured that the driver would be caught soon and strict legal action would be taken against him.
Rising Incidents of Reckless Driving and Overloading
Local residents have raised concerns over the increasing number of accidents on the national highway due to speeding and improper overtaking. Despite several complaints to the authorities, the lack of proper monitoring has failed to curb such incidents. Locals have demanded stronger road safety measures to prevent such accidents from recurring.
Injured Individuals Receiving Treatment
Both the bus driver and his assistant have been sent to the hospital for treatment. The bus driver suffered severe injuries to his hand, while the assistant sustained minor injuries. According to hospital sources, both are out of danger. The families of the injured have been notified, and the treatment is ongoing.
This incident highlights the growing concern about road safety on national highways, especially in areas where speeding and rash driving continue to put lives at risk. Authorities must take more proactive measures to ensure the safety of commuters and reduce the number of such accidents in the future. The quick response of the local residents and the police helped prevent further casualties, but the need for better enforcement and traffic regulation remains critical.
