2 killed, 16 hurt as bus returning from Kumbh overturns in Dausa

Jaipur: Two women were killed and 16 others injured when a sleeper bus returning from Kumbh in Prayagraj to Hanumangarh, overturned on the Jaipur-Agra highway near Balaheri in Dausa district early Wednesday morning. Police said the driver lost control while attempting to avoid a stray buffalo on the road.The deceased were identified as Sundari Devi Jat (51), a resident of Haripura in Hanumangarh, and Bhanwari Devi Sharma (60), from Sardarshahar in Churu. The injured included passengers from Hanumangarh, Churu (Rajasthan), and Sirsa (Haryana)."The accident occurred around 4.30am when it was still dark. Preliminary investigation suggests that a black buffalo suddenly appeared in front of the bus, and due to poor visibility, the driver couldn't see it on time. He swerved to avoid hitting the animal and crashed into the road divider," said SHO Balaheri Bhagwan Sahay.Villagers and police worked together to rescue passengers from the wreckage and transport the injured to a nearby govt hospital. Seven critically injured passengers were later shifted to Dausa District Hospital for advanced treatment.Police arrived shortly after the accident and used a crane to remove the wrecked bus from the highway, restoring normal traffic flow."The passengers were returning from Kumbh, and the bus was operated by a travel agency. Most of them were asleep when the accident occurred. Local residents assisted the police in pulling out passengers and rushing them to the hospital," said the officer.