A potentially fatal accident near the Itma bridge in Rewa's Atraila police station area on Thursday ended on a note of relief, thanks largely to the quick thinking of local villagers who waded into the river and pulled out a trapped man before the state disaster response team could even reach the spot.

Iron Rod Pierced Foot

The injured man, identified as Ramujagar Prajapati, 45, a resident of Itma village, had gone to the riverbank for some work when he lost his footing and slipped into a deeper section of the river. An iron rod embedded in the riverbed pierced through his foot, leaving him immobilised in the current, unable to free himself or move to safety. He was in considerable pain and could not get out on his own.

Alert Reaches Control Room

Locals who spotted the man trapped in the water quickly passed the information to the police control room. The situation was flagged as serious — a man pinned by a metal rod in flowing water, with no immediate means of rescue on site. The Rewa police promptly dispatched an SDRF team to the location.

Villagers Act First

Before the SDRF unit could arrive, a group of villagers decided not to wait. Showing remarkable courage, they entered the river, navigated the current, and managed to carefully free Prajapati and bring him to the bank. The rescue, carried out without professional equipment, drew wide appreciation from both local residents and officials.

A five-member SDRF team, led by Sub-Inspector Vikas Kumar Pandey, had already been en route to the site. On receiving confirmation that the rescue had been completed successfully by locals, the team was directed to return midway.

First Aid, Then Hospital

Once on dry ground, Prajapati was given initial first aid before being transported to a nearby health centre for further treatment. The extent of his injury — a metal rod having passed through his foot — meant he required medical attention beyond basic care. His condition, according to initial reports, was stable.

Officials Acknowledge Timely Action

Police officials who spoke on the matter noted that the speed of the rescue was critical. Had the man remained trapped in the current for longer, the situation could have escalated significantly. Officials credited both the prompt response of the control room and the bravery of the villagers for averting what could easily have become a tragedy.

The SDRF team's swift mobilisation was also noted positively, even though their intervention ultimately wasn't required on-site.

Community Response Draws Praise

In a time when bystander inaction is often criticised, the Itma villagers' decision to step in without hesitation has been widely appreciated across the district. Local residents on social media and in conversations across the area were sharing the rescue video that reportedly captured part of the operation — showing people using ropes to stabilise themselves and the victim in the fast-moving water.

Bus Helper Killed as Passenger Bus Hits Tree Near Ashta on Bhopal-Indore Highway

A bus traveling from Ahmedabad to Bhopal swerved to avoid a stray cow near Ashta, leading to a fatal collision with a roadside tree.

A tragic road accident claimed the life of a bus helper on Tuesday morning after a passenger bus veered off the road and rammed into a tree on the Bhopal-Indore Highway. The incident occurred around 8:00 AM near the Kachnariya Junction, falling under the jurisdiction of the Parvati Police Station.

The bus, operated by Verma Travels, was en route from Ahmedabad to Bhopal with approximately 30 passengers on board. While the passengers escaped with their lives, the impact of the collision was so severe that the front cabin of the vehicle was completely crushed, trapping the helper inside.

Fatal collision near Kachnariya

According to Dharmendra Singh Malviya from the Parvati Police Station, the bus was about 10 kilometers away from Ashta when the driver lost control. Local residents and passersby rushed to the spot as the sound of the crash echoed through the area. Initial reports suggest the vehicle was traveling at a steady speed before it suddenly darted toward the shoulder of the highway, hitting a large tree head-on.

Rescue team uses cutters

The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Sunil Mukati, a resident of Polai Kala in Shajapur district. Rescuers faced a grim task upon arrival. Krishnapal Verma, an ambulance driver with the 108 service, stated that the victim’s body was pinned so tightly within the mangled remains of the cabin that gas cutters had to be used to retrieve him. Sunil died on the spot due to the intensity of the impact.

Driver recounts narrow escape

The bus driver, Ramchandra Patel, also a resident of Polai Kala, survived the crash and spoke of the harrowing moments leading up to the accident. "A cow suddenly appeared on the road. Everything happened in a split second. I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the animal, but the tire burst, and the steering just locked up," Patel said. He described the moment of impact as "staring at death," adding that he considers his survival a second lease on life.

Passengers safe after scare

While the helper lost his life, authorities confirmed that all 30 passengers on board remained safe, though many were left shaken by the sudden jolt. ASI Ajay Kant Dixit of the Ashta Police confirmed that the primary cause appears to be the sudden appearance of cattle on the highway combined with the subsequent tire failure. The body of the deceased was shifted to the Ashta Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Rising concerns over highway safety

The Bhopal-Indore stretch is one of the busiest in the state, and the presence of stray cattle has been a recurring concern for long-distance drivers. Police have registered a case and are investigating the technical state of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Traffic was briefly disrupted on the lane as a crane was called in to move the damaged bus from the roadside.