Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep grief on Wednesday after a state-run PRTC bus crashed into a flyover in Sangrur, killing three passengers and injuring at least 24. He directed the administration to provide free medical care to all the injured.
What Happened
The Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus was travelling from Dhuri in Sangrur district to Chandigarh when it crashed at around 4.30 am. It hit the wall of a flyover near the Bathinda-Chandigarh National Highway. Eyewitnesses said it first rammed into a pole supporting the flyover, then left the road and hit a tree. The crash shattered the bus’s windshields.
Casualties and Treatment
Police confirmed three deaths. Reports put the number of injured at between 18 and 26 as the day went on. Fifteen seriously injured passengers were referred to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, while the rest were treated nearby. Local residents joined police and the district administration in the rescue effort.
CM Mann’s Response
In a post on X, Mann called the accident deeply distressing and said three precious lives had been lost. He wished the injured a speedy recovery and told the administration to ensure proper medical care for everyone hurt. The government has not yet announced any ex-gratia for the victims’ families.
Cause Not Yet Known
Police have not said what caused the crash, and an official investigation is expected. Early accounts only say that the driver lost control after the bus struck the overbridge.
Public Transport Safety
The accident has again brought attention to road safety on Punjab’s highways. Several bus crashes have been reported in the state this year, though details of this crash are still emerging.
