Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Jun: A tragic road accident in Dehradun’s Lal Pul area under the Patel Nagar police station limits claimed the life of a young labourer and left five others seriously injured after a city bus allegedly went out of control and ran over workers waiting for employment on the roadside.
The incident occurred today when the city bus was travelling from ISBT towards Ghantaghar. According to preliminary information, the driver reportedly suffered a sudden epileptic seizure while driving, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the bus reportedly veered off the road near Lal Pul in Patel Nagar, mounted the footpath and mowed down labourers who were either sitting or moving along the roadside before finally crashing near the gate of a hotel.
The accident created panic in the area as screams and cries for help filled the scene. Eyewitnesses said the labourers were waiting for work as part of their daily routine when the speeding bus suddenly climbed onto the footpath and struck them without warning. The vehicle eventually came to a halt at the hotel gate, preventing what could have been an even more devastating tragedy.
The victims were trapped beneath the bus after the impact. Local residents and police personnel immediately launched rescue efforts and pulled the injured out from under the vehicle. The injured were rushed to Indresh Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, where treatment is continuing. During treatment, 22-year-old Ahat, a resident of Rajiv Nagar, succumbed to his injuries. The other injured persons have been identified as Sanjeet, Ratan, Man Singh, Ahad and Sukhraj. Hospital sources said the condition of several of the injured remains critical.
The eyewitnesses described the accident as extremely horrifying, stating that the impact left multiple people seriously injured within seconds. Several passers-by and local residents gathered at the scene and assisted the police in rescue operations. Many people came forward to help the injured and cooperated with the authorities in shifting them to hospitals.
According to local residents, the situation became more challenging because an ambulance did not reach the spot immediately. As a result, injured persons remained on the road for some time and efforts had to be made to arrange transportation. Local people displayed humanity by placing the injured in e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and other available vehicles and rushing them to hospital. Reports also suggested that some vehicle drivers were initially reluctant to stop, prompting police personnel to halt passing vehicles to ensure the injured received immediate medical attention.
The accident led to massive traffic congestion in the area, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides of the road. Traffic movement remained disrupted for a considerable period as rescue operations and clearance work continued. Police and administrative officials reached the spot soon after receiving information and initiated relief and rescue measures.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that bus driver Arjun Gurung may have suffered an epileptic seizure, resulting in the loss of control over the vehicle. The driver has been taken into police custody and is currently undergoing medical treatment. The bus has also been seized by the police as part of the investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police Premendra Dobhal said information was received that a city bus had run over several people near Lalpur. Acting swiftly, police reached the spot and took the driver into custody. He said the bus had also been seized and a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the accident was underway. According to the SSP, preliminary findings indicate that the driver suffered a medical episode while driving, and his treatment is continuing. He added that all aspects of the incident are being examined and strict action will be taken if any negligence or wrongdoing is established during the investigation.
By the time of filing of the story, no compensation had been announced for the accident victims by the administration.
