Jalandhar, October 28: Two devotees travelling from Delhi to Pathankot were seriously injured after an Indo-Canadian bus collided with their Maruti Alto car on the Phillaur-Goraya stretch of the National Highway. The accident occurred on Tuesday, October 27, near DS Dhaba in Khaira village, leaving the car extensively damaged. A team from the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) reached the location and rushed the injured passengers to Civil Hospital, Phillaur, for medical treatment.
According to information from the accident scene, the two occupants of the car were returning to Pathankot after attending a Nirankari religious congregation in Delhi. Their journey was interrupted near Khaira village when the bus struck the rear of their vehicle. The collision caused considerable damage to the car, particularly its rear section, and both occupants sustained injuries requiring urgent medical attention.
A passerby reportedly informed the Sadak Surakhya Force about the accident, following which a team was dispatched to the location. On arrival, the personnel found the damaged car and two injured passengers. The team provided immediate first aid before transporting both individuals in an official vehicle to Civil Hospital, Phillaur. Medical staff examined the injured passengers, and one of them was subsequently referred to another hospital for further treatment because of the seriousness of the injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the collision have become a subject of investigation, with different accounts emerging about how the accident occurred. The bus driver claimed that he was travelling in his designated lane when the Alto driver suddenly applied the brakes. According to his statement, the car was moving close to the side of the road, leaving insufficient time for the bus to avoid a collision. However, the driver's explanation has not been independently established, and the exact cause of the accident remains under examination.
Following the rescue operation, the SSF team coordinated with highway personnel to move the damaged vehicle away from the main carriageway. Safety markers were placed near the accident site to alert approaching motorists and prevent further disruption. With the damaged car removed from the road, normal traffic movement was restored along the busy Phillaur-Goraya highway.
During the inspection of the vehicle, SSF personnel also recovered several personal belongings belonging to the injured travellers. These included nine bags containing clothes, a purse with ₹910 in cash and important documents such as identity cards, a driving licence, vehicle registration papers and bank cards. The belongings were subsequently handed over for safekeeping to Rajinder Singh, who was identified as a person known to the injured travellers through their religious congregation.
Police were informed about the incident, and the bus was reportedly taken to Phillaur Police Station as part of the proceedings. The authorities are expected to examine the statements of those involved and the circumstances leading to the collision before determining whether any traffic violation or negligence contributed to the accident.
The incident has once again highlighted road safety concerns on the National Highway connecting Phillaur and Goraya. Heavy passenger vehicles and smaller cars regularly share this route, making safe distances, controlled speeds and attentive driving particularly important. Investigators will need to establish the movements of both vehicles before reaching any conclusion about responsibility.
The identities of the injured passengers and their latest medical conditions have not been officially confirmed in the available information. Further developments regarding the investigation and any subsequent police action are awaited.
For permission to reuse our original reporting or images, contact The Jalandhar Times.
