At least 12 people lost their lives and 25 others injured after a bus collided head on with a truck at Dergaon in Assam’s Golaghat district this morning. Among those deceased include 3 minors.
It was indeed a tragic incident as the bus was boarded by picknickers who were on their way to the Tilinga Mandir in Tinsukia district.
However, destiny had other plans and the bus in which the picknickers were travelling was hit by a speeding truck, which was oncoming from the opposite direction and that too in the wrong lane.
The critically injured have been shifted to Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, while those who sustained minor injuries are being terated at Dergaon.
Prima facie it appears that the accident occured as the truck was coming in the wrong land, but the police as well as the district administration are also exploring other angles into the accident.
Golaghat DC Dr. P Uday Praveen informed that he will deliberate with officials of the NHIDCL as well as other stakeholders and assess as to what led to the road accident.
He said, “We will speak to the NHIDCL authorities. 9 deaths have been reported so far (till 9AM). The locals swung into action immediately and mobilized ambulances to rush the injured to the hospital. I myself is monitoring the medical treatment given to the injured victims. I will speak to NHIDCL authorities as well as officials of the Transport Department to find out the cause of the crash after due investigation. If immediate rectification measures are required we will immediately take it.”
A lady who had a narrow escape said, “I am hurt in my leg. My daughter escaped as she fell under the seat. There were at least 4-5 people lying on top of me after the mishap. We were sleeping when the bus was hit, but soon realized that something has gone wrong. Me and my daughter was saved by locals.”
It has been alleged that the NHIDCL had created a diversion on the NH-37 (near the accident spot) temporarily for maintenance works. According to locals, owing to this the truck had to move to the opposite lane with oncoming traffic which ultimately led to the accident.
However, only necessary follow-up action by the government will only reveal as to how the accident happened.
