A tourist bus carrying a group of Kerala devotees from Gaya to Ayodhya met with a serious collision in Bihar’s Buxar district early Monday. The vehicle struck a stationary lorry shortly after crossing the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge, resulting in 23 injuries.

From Gaya to Ayodhya

The pilgrimage party consisted of 27 members who had gathered in Gaya for the traditional pind daan rites. After concluding the ceremony, the bus left Gaya around 10 p.m. on Sunday, bound for the sacred city of Ayodhya. At approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, the bus traversed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge when the crash occurred.

How the Collision Happened

Eyewitnesses reported that most passengers were asleep when the bus suddenly rammed into a lorry parked on the roadside shoulder. The impact threw occupants from their seats and caused panic inside the vehicle.

Local villagers and officers from the Industrial Police Station arrived quickly, helped extricate the injured, and transferred them to Buxar Sadar Hospital.

Injuries and Medical Care

All 23 injured persons, including driver Ramesh Swami, received medical attention. The driver sustained the most severe wounds. Four pilgrims are still under treatment, while the others were given initial care and later discharged.

The following individuals were listed among the injured:

  • K. Venu Rao
  • K. Rajeshwari Rao
  • K. Narayan Rao
  • K. Swami Rao
  • K. Vijaya Rao
  • K. Sampath Rao
  • P. Ilaiah
  • G. Ram Reddy
  • G. Raju Reddy
  • K. Sampath
  • V. Sarvaiya
  • B. Ilaiah
  • V. Rama Rao
  • T. Ehesia
  • P. Venkata Rao
  • T. Sampath Rao
  • T. Narasimha Rao
  • G. Rajeshwari Rao

Hospital officials confirmed that none of the injuries were life‑threatening, and several passengers were released to continue their journey by train from Buxar railway station.

First‑hand Accounts

One of the injured, K. Swami, said he was sleeping when a deafening crash jolted him awake and hurled him forward. Another passenger, Ram Rao, suggested the driver might have dozed off, although police have not verified this claim.

Police Probe

Industrial Police Station SHO Sonu Kumar reported that officers reached the site promptly after the distress call. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances, including possible driver fatigue, to determine the exact cause.

After receiving treatment, the remaining pilgrims were discharged and proceeded to Buxar railway station to resume their pilgrimage by train.