23 killed in bus-truck collision near Khandwa

At least 23 people including three women were killed and more than a dozen were injured when the bus they were travelling in, from Indore to Khandwa, was involved in a head-on collision with a truck on Indore - Khandwa state highway.

At least 23 people including three women were killed and more than a dozen were injured when the bus they were travelling in, from Indore to Khandwa, was involved in a head-on collision with a truck on Indore - Khandwa state highway.

Chhaegaon Makhan police said the incident occurred at around 6 pm near Chhaegaon Makhan village, about 15 kilometres north of Khandwa town on Wednesday when the private passenger bus (MP09-SA3025) moving from Indore to Khandwa collided with empty truck (MP09-H2079) coming from the opposite direction.

At the time of incident, more than 50 passengers were packed inside the bus. The intensity of the collision was so great that both the vehicles were wrecked leaving bodies and several injured people scattered on the Indore - Khandwa state highway.

As soon as police and administration got the news, rescue team including a fleet of ambulances and police teams from Khandwa and Chhaegaon Makhan reached the spot and evacuated passengers and bodies which were trapped in wreckages.

District collector MK Agrawal said that the chief minister has expressed his condolence and announced compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to the family members of each deceased, while Rs 50,000 to each injured person.

“Providing best medical treatment to injured people now is our priority,” collector Agrawal said.

Confirming 23 casualties, superintendent of police Mahendra Singh Sikarwar said "Twenty-two persons, including truck driver were killed. The bus driver survived but is in a serious condition.”

Police constable, Jitendra Dewara, posted at Moghat police station who was present in the bus, said the bus was being rashly driven and that led to the fatal accident. He said it was deadliest road accident on this road during last one decade.

Meanwhile, case has been registered against both the drivers under relevant section at the police station and investigation is on.