4 dead, several injured as speeding mini-bus crashes into stationary bus on Purvanchal expressway

A speeding mini-bus from Maharashtra crashed into a stationary bus on the Purvanchal Expressway in Barabanki early Sunday morning, killing four people and injuring several others. The accident occurred near Gangapur village in the Lonikatra police station area at around 5 AM. Officials stated that the driver of the mini-bus reportedly dozed off, leading to the collision.

According to police reports, the stationary bus was traveling from Chhattisgarh to Ayodhya when it broke down and was parked on the roadside. The mini-bus, carrying 23 passengers from Maharashtra to Ayodhya after visiting Vrindavan, collided into the rear of the parked vehicle at high speed. Three people died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Among the deceased were Deepak, Sunil, and Anusuiya Bai from Maharashtra’s Nanded district.

Rescue operations were conducted by the police and local residents, who helped extricate the injured from the wreckage. Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh Kumar Singh confirmed that the bodies were recovered after several hours of effort. "A total of four people have died in the accident. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals, and those in critical condition have been referred to Lucknow Trauma Center," he said.

Authorities stated that several passengers were left in shock following the crash. The injured include Madhavrao, Chhatrapati, and Jayashree, who have been admitted to hospitals for treatment. Officials assured that alternate transport was arranged for the remaining passengers to reach their destination. The police have taken custody of the vehicles involved and have begun further investigation into the incident. The administration has assured compensation to the families of the deceased. Officials have also urged drivers to take precautions while driving long distances, as fatigue and drowsiness continue to be major causes of road accidents.