Survivor recounts Chitradurga bus accident that claimed five lives

Five killed in Chitradurga bus crash as fire engulfed vehicle. Survivor Hemraj, with family, escaped through a broken window, sustaining minor injuries

A tragic bus accident near Joganahalli in Chitradurga district claimed the lives of five passengers in the early hours of Monday. Among the survivors was Hemraj, a resident of Rajasthan working in Bengaluru, who managed to escape with his wife and son.

Hemraj had travelled to Gokarna with his family for a holiday and was returning to Bengaluru by bus when the accident occurred. At around 2 am, a lorry rammed into the rear of the bus while most passengers were asleep. The impact was severe, triggering a fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle.

Hemraj and his family were seated in the upper berth behind the driver’s cabin. The location of their seats proved crucial, as the collision primarily affected the rear of the bus. The force of the crash shattered the window near them, providing an escape route. Hemraj, his wife, son, and sister managed to jump out through the broken glass. A few other passengers also escaped in the same manner.

Those seated towards the back of the bus were less fortunate. The lorry’s impact and the subsequent blaze trapped many passengers, leaving them with little chance of survival. Witnesses described the fire spreading rapidly, consuming the bus within seconds and accompanied by loud explosions.

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Hemraj sustained head and back injuries, while his wife also suffered minor wounds. The family waited nearly 40 to 50 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, during which time local police reached the site. Before the ambulance came, a cab was used to shift some of the injured to nearby facilities. Hemraj and his family were taken to Tumkur for first aid before returning to Bengaluru.

The survivor noted that the bus being a non-air-conditioned sleeper may have reduced the extent of damage, as passengers had windows to escape through. Despite this, the intensity of the fire meant that those caught in the rear section had little chance of survival.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of long-distance bus travel and the urgent need for stricter safety measures. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collision and assess accountability.

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