Truck hits passenger bus in Siliguri, 3 people critically injured

A serious road accident occurred in the Kharibari area of Siliguri district on Friday morning, leaving three people critically injured. The incident took place near Panitanki, on National Highway-327 close to the India-Nepal border. According to eyewitnesses, a speeding truck coming from Siliguri lost control and violently collided with a passenger bus approaching from the opposite direction.

The force of the collision caused the truck to veer off further, hitting an e-rickshaw parked by the side of the road and then crashing into a local shop. Fortunately, the e-rickshaw driver narrowly escaped without injuries, but the sudden impact left three passengers inside the bus seriously wounded.

Locals immediately rushed to assist and called for medical help. The injured were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. Their condition remains critical, according to initial hospital reports. Meanwhile, the truck driver reportedly fled the scene right after the accident, taking advantage of the confusion.

Upon receiving the alert, officers from Panitanki Police Chowki quickly reached the location. They seized the damaged bus and began a search operation for the absconding truck driver. Traffic on the busy highway was briefly affected but was restored shortly after emergency crews cleared the wreckage.

Police officials are currently investigating the sequence of events that led to the crash. Preliminary observations suggest overspeeding and reckless driving as the probable cause. Authorities are also checking CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses to trace the runaway truck driver.