Blood on the highway: Runaway truck smashes into Punjab Roadways bus and a car, 3 dead in seconds

Karnal/Gharaunda (The Uttam Hindu): A horrific road accident occurred on National Highway 44 in Gharaunda, Karnal district, on Wednesday morning. An out-of-control container truck rammed a Punjab Roadways bus, a car, and two motorcycles. Three people died on the spot in the horrific accident, while several others were seriously injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred about a kilometer before the toll plaza. A speeding container truck coming from Karnal suddenly lost control. It is suspected that the driver was either drowsy or intoxicated, causing the truck to cross the divider and cross onto the wrong side.

Upon crossing the wrong side, the truck first collided with an oncoming Punjab Roadways bus. The impact was so severe that the passengers on the bus screamed and cried out.

Even after hitting the bus, the truck did not slow down. It struck a car and two bikes that were also traveling on the road. The truck dragged the car to the railing of the service lane, where it overturned. The car was completely mangled and reduced to a heap of metal.

An eyewitness (an auto passenger) at the scene said the accident happened right before his eyes. He said, "The truck crushed the car so badly, killing the two occupants on the spot. The bike rider was then hit by the truck and also lost his life."

Upon receiving information about the accident, police and rescue teams arrived at the scene. The people trapped in the car were extricated with great difficulty, while the truck driver was also freed by breaking the glass.

Investigating officer Rajesh Malik said that the bodies have been taken into custody and placed in the mortuary. Currently, their ID proofs and documents are being examined to identify the deceased. Once identified, the bodies will be handed over to their families after post-mortem. All the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.