A tragic road accident claimed the lives of three people and left another seriously injured after a passenger bus ran over its own passengers in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district on Saturday.
The shocking incident occurred on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, sending panic among passengers and highlighting concerns over highway safety.
According to police officials, the private passenger bus had reportedly developed a technical fault while travelling on the expressway. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the roadside so that the issue could be inspected. Several passengers stepped out of the bus and stood nearby while waiting for the problem to be resolved.
During the inspection, the bus suddenly began moving unexpectedly. Before the passengers standing outside could react, the vehicle rolled forward and ran over them. Three people died on the spot after suffering severe injuries, while another passenger sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
UP: Three dead, one injured after bus runs over its own passengers in Unnao. pic.twitter.com/txs1u5UslX
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Emergency services and local police quickly reached the accident site after receiving information about the incident. The victims were removed from beneath the bus, and the injured person was shifted to hospital in an ambulance.
Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that the bus may have moved due to a mechanical failure or because proper safety precautions, such as applying the parking brake or placing wheel stoppers, were not followed.
However, officials have stated that the exact reason will only be confirmed after a detailed technical inspection.
Authorities are also questioning the driver and bus staff to understand the sequence of events leading to the fatal accident. The transport department may also examine the vehicle's maintenance records to determine whether negligence played a role.
The incident temporarily disrupted traffic on a section of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway as rescue operations were carried out. Police later cleared the road and restored normal traffic movement.
Road safety experts have often warned that passengers should maintain a safe distance from vehicles that have stopped due to mechanical problems, particularly on highways.
They also stress that drivers must ensure the handbrake is properly engaged and additional safety measures are in place before allowing passengers to get off a vehicle.
The identities of the deceased had not been officially released immediately after the accident, as authorities were in the process of informing their families.
The tragic incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to safety protocols during roadside emergencies.
Investigators are expected to submit a detailed report after examining the bus and recording witness statements.
Police have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken if negligence is found during the investigation.
