Bus Tragedy: Seven Dead, Over 32 Injured as Speeding Mini-Bus Overturns in Punjab

National News: A harrowing road accident unfolded on Monday morning near Sagra Adda on the Dasuya-Hajipur Road, claiming at least seven lives and leaving more than 32 passengers injured, several of them critically. The incident involved a minibus reportedly carrying around 40 passengers, most of whom were local residents commuting between villages.

The vehicle, which was traveling from Hajipur to Dasuya, lost control and overturned on a curved section of the road near Sagrana village, a few kilometers from the town center of Dasuya. The impact was so severe that multiple passengers were thrown out of the bus, while others were trapped inside the mangled frame.

Scene of Despair: Locals and Police Work Side by Side

The accident took place around 9:30 AM, triggering panic in the region. Eyewitnesses recount a horrific scene—passengers screaming for help, villagers rushing with tools to break windows, and the sound of approaching sirens.

Local residents were the first to respond, pulling out the injured even before official rescue teams arrived. Within minutes, personnel from Dasuya Police Station, emergency services, and health officials reached the spot. The injured were rushed to Dasuya Civil Hospital, while those with severe head, spinal, or internal injuries were referred to higher-level medical facilities in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar.

Official Statement: Speed and Negligence Under Scrutiny

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mukerian, Kulwinder Singh Virk, the bus appeared to be traveling at high speed, which may have caused the driver to lose control on a sharp turn. The bus flipped over and rolled several feet before coming to a halt, upside down.

“We’ve launched a formal inquiry into the incident. Prima facie, overspeeding and possible mechanical failure are being looked at. Survivors’ statements are being recorded, and the driver’s condition is also being monitored,” said DSP Virk.

The driver, who survived the crash with minor injuries, is being questioned for further clarity.

Toll Could Rise, Critical Patients Under Observation

Of the 32 injured, at least 10 passengers are in critical condition, hospital authorities confirmed. Medical Superintendent of Dasuya Civil Hospital said that while some have been stabilized, others are being monitored for internal bleeding, skull fractures, and organ damage. Emergency surgeries have been initiated in several cases.

A senior doctor noted that timely intervention by locals helped save lives. “Had the response been delayed by even 15 minutes, the death toll could have been much higher,” he said.

Grief and Anguish in Local Communities

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through nearby villages, especially in Sagrana and Hajipur, from where many of the victims hailed. Family members gathered outside hospitals, anxiously awaiting news. Several schools in the area closed early in respect, and local panchayats have begun coordinating relief for families of the deceased.

District administration officials, including the SDM of Dasuya, have visited the injured and assured them of compensation and free medical care. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also expressed condolences and said in a statement that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

An All-Too-Common Tragedy?

This incident once again highlights the issue of overspeeding and poor safety regulation in rural transport networks. Mini-buses are often overcrowded and operated with minimal oversight, particularly on rural state highways like the Hajipur-Dasuya route. Local transport unions and NGOs have long demanded the installation of speed breakers, better signage, and stricter driver screening, but such pleas have largely gone unanswered.

The Road Ahead

As authorities continue their investigation, families grieve, and hospitals stay on high alert, the Dasuya bus tragedy serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly negligence can turn fatal. The people of Hoshiarpur demand not just accountability, but preventive action—so that tragedies like this one don’t repeat themselves on Punjab’s roads.