A tourist bus carrying a contingent of Kerala devotees from Gaya to Ayodhya met a serious mishap in Bihar’s Buxar district early Monday. Shortly after passing the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge, the bus rammed a lorry that was stationary on the roadside, leaving 23 people wounded.

Route from Gaya to Ayodhya

The convoy consisted of 27 pilgrims who had gathered in Gaya for the traditional pind daan rites. After completing the rituals, the bus left Gaya around 10 p.m. on Sunday, bound for the sacred city of Ayodhya. At approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, it crossed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge before the collision occurred.

How the Accident Unfolded

Eyewitnesses say most travelers were asleep when the bus suddenly slammed into a lorry parked on the shoulder. The force of the impact threw passengers from their seats and triggered panic inside the vehicle.

Local residents and officers from the Industrial Police Station rushed to the scene, helping rescue the injured and transport them to Buxar Sadar Hospital.

Injuries and Medical Response

Twenty‑three people, including driver Ramesh Swami, sustained injuries, with the driver bearing the gravest wounds. Four passengers continue to receive treatment at the hospital, while the rest were given initial care and later released.

The following travelers 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

Medical officials reported that none of the injuries were life‑threatening, and several pilgrims were discharged to continue their journey by train from Buxar railway station.

First‑hand Accounts

One injured pilgrim, K. Swami, recalled being jolted awake by a deafening crash that hurled him against the seat ahead. Another passenger, Ram Rao, speculated that driver fatigue might have played a role, although police have not confirmed this theory.

Police Investigation

Industrial Police Station SHO Sonu Kumar said officers reached the site promptly after receiving the emergency call. Investigators are probing the circumstances of the collision, including the possibility of driver drowsiness, to establish the exact cause.

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