A tourist bus carrying a group of Kerala devotees from Gaya to Ayodhya was involved in a serious collision in Bihar's Buxar district early Monday. The vehicle struck a lorry that had halted on the roadside just after it passed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge, resulting in 23 people sustaining injuries.
From Gaya to Ayodhya
The convoy consisted of 27 pilgrims who had gathered in Gaya to perform the traditional pind daan rites. After the ceremony concluded, the bus set off from Gaya at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, bound for the sacred city of Ayodhya. Around 3 a.m. on Monday, the vehicle crossed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge, moments before the accident occurred.
How the Accident Unfolded
Eyewitnesses reported that most passengers were asleep when the bus suddenly rammed into a lorry that was stationary on the road shoulder. The impact threw travelers from their seats and triggered panic inside the bus.
Local residents and officers from the Industrial Police Station rushed to the scene. With their assistance, the injured were rescued from the wreckage and transferred to Buxar Sadar Hospital.
Injuries and Medical Care
A total of twenty‑three individuals, including driver Ramesh Swami, suffered injuries. The driver incurred the most severe wounds. Four passengers remain under observation at the hospital, while the others received initial treatment and have since been discharged.
The following travelers were reported injured:
- K. Venu Rao
- K. Rajeshwari Rao
- K. Narayan Rao
- K. Swami Rao
- K. Vijaya Rao
- K. Sampath Rao
- P. Ilaiah
- G. Ram Reddy
- G. Raju Reddy
- K. Sampath
- V. Sarvaiya
- B. Ilaiah
- V. Rama Rao
- T. Ehesia
- P. Venkata Rao
- T. Sampath Rao
- T. Narasimha Rao
- G. Rajeshwari Rao
Medical officials confirmed that none of the injuries were life‑threatening. Several pilgrims were released to continue their journey by train from Buxar railway station.
First‑hand Accounts
One injured pilgrim, K. Swami, recounted being jolted awake by a deafening crash that hurled him against the seat in front of him. Another traveler, Ram Rao, speculated that driver fatigue might have played a role, though police have not verified this claim.
Police Inquiry
Industrial Police Station SHO Sonu Kumar said officers reached the location promptly after receiving the distress call. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances of the collision, including the possibility of driver drowsiness, to determine the exact cause.
After receiving medical attention, the remaining pilgrims were discharged and proceeded to Buxar railway station to resume their pilgrimage by train.
