Vadodara: A tragic road accident on the outskirts of Vadodara claimed six lives and left nearly 20 others injured after a passenger bus collided with a stationary truck in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to police officials, the crash took place near Kotambi village along the Vadodara-Halol highway at around 4 am. The bus, which was travelling from Rajasthan towards Surat, reportedly rammed into the rear of a truck that had been halted on the roadside.
Preliminary investigations suggest the truck driver had stopped the vehicle to inspect tyre pressure when the speeding bus approached and crashed into it. The force of the impact caused extensive damage to the front section of the bus, trapping several passengers inside.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene shortly after receiving information about the accident. Local police personnel, along with rescue workers, launched an operation to evacuate passengers and provide immediate medical assistance. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials said most of the passengers onboard were residents of Rajasthan. The identities of the deceased are being verified, and authorities have begun informing family members.
Given the severity of the collision and the extensive damage to the vehicle, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to assist in rescue efforts. Heavy equipment was used to remove twisted metal and access passengers trapped within the wreckage.
Senior police officers who visited the site described the accident as one of the more serious highway crashes reported in the region in recent months. Traffic movement on the stretch was temporarily affected as rescue and clearance operations continued for several hours.
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collision. Officials are also examining whether factors such as vehicle speed, visibility conditions, or road safety measures contributed to the accident.
The incident once again highlights concerns over highway safety and the risks associated with long-distance overnight travel, particularly on busy inter-state routes.
