Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 21: At least four people were killed and 57 others injured after a passenger bus belonging to the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) crashed into the rear of a stationary trailer in the Maynaguri area of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Sunday.
The accident occurred on National Highway 27 while the bus was travelling from Siliguri to Cooch Behar.
According to police, 10 of the injured are in critical condition, while four passengers succumbed to their injuries on the way to hospital.
One of the deceased has been identified as Sajal Sarkar, while the identities of the remaining victims are yet to be confirmed.
Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police Sujata Kumari Veenapani confirmed the death toll and said the injured were undergoing treatment at different medical facilities.
Hospital authorities said 37 victims have been admitted to Jalpaiguri Super Speciality Hospital, while another 20 are receiving treatment at Maynaguri Rural Hospital.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the speeding bus had crossed the Teesta Bridge and reached the Ulladabari area when it rammed into a trailer parked on the side of the highway.
The impact was severe, causing the front portion of the bus to become wedged into the rear of the trailer.
Several passengers seated in the front rows were trapped inside the mangled wreckage following the collision.
Local residents rushed to the scene immediately after hearing the loud crash and initiated rescue efforts before emergency services arrived.
Police personnel, fire service teams and ambulances from Maynaguri Police Station later joined the rescue operation, which continued for several hours.
Rescuers had to cut through twisted metal sections of the bus to free trapped passengers.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where doctors said many had suffered serious injuries to their heads, chest and other parts of their bodies.
Maynaguri Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Subal Chandra Ghosh said preliminary findings indicate that the bus collided with a stationary trailer, though a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Traffic movement on National Highway 27 was temporarily disrupted due to the crash.
Authorities later restored normal traffic flow after removing the damaged bus and trailer with the help of cranes.
Investigators are examining all possible factors behind the accident, including driver negligence, overspeeding and other circumstances that may have contributed to the tragedy.