According to police, the bus lost control between 5 am and 6 am, veered off the highway and rammed into a tree. The impact was severe, resulting in the on-the-spot death of 18-year-old Tarkeshwar Sahu, a resident of Rajnandgaon. He was travelling on the bus as a helper.
The bus was carrying around 30 to 40 passengers, including pilgrims from Durg and Raipur heading to Tirupati for darshan. The collision caused panic among passengers, many of whom were trapped inside the vehicle. Several managed to escape by breaking the bus windows and climbing out.
The driver and two other passengers, including a woman, sustained injuries in the accident. They were provided primary treatment and later referred to Jagdalpur for further medical care. Their condition is reported to be stable.
Passers-by informed the police soon after the crash. A police team reached the spot and shifted the injured to hospital with the help of ambulances. The remaining passengers were taken to Bhanupratappur police station in police vehicles, where temporary arrangements were made for their stay until further travel plans could be organised.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus went out of control, though the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. Police said further action will be taken after completing formalities and recording statements of the driver and passengers.
Traffic on the highway was briefly affected following the accident but was later restored.
