Deadly Bus‑Truck Collision on Rajasthan Highway Leaves Dozens Injured

On the early afternoon of June 14, a passenger bus loaded with schoolchildren and daily commuters was barreling down the National Highway 21 near Dausa when it suddenly smashed into a fully‑laden truck. The impact was so violent that the front of the bus crumpled, and a handful of passengers were thrown forward before the driver managed to steer the vehicle onto the shoulder.

Emergency services arrived within minutes, sirens wailing, and the scene quickly turned chaotic. First‑aid responders pulled the injured from the wreckage, many of them still clutching their backpacks or school bags. Hospital staff in nearby Dausa reported that at least 22 people – including five children – were rushed to the district hospital with fractures, bruises and head injuries.

"We did everything we could, but the bus took the brunt of the collision," said Ramesh Singh, the driver of the truck, who escaped with minor injuries. "I think the bus driver tried to brake suddenly, but the truck was already too close." Local police officials are still investigating the exact cause, though early indications point to either excessive speed or a possible brake failure on the bus.

The crash forced the closure of the highway for nearly four hours, snarling traffic that stretches from Jaipur to Agra. Trucks, buses and private cars were rerouted through the nearby town of Sikandra, adding to congestion and delay. "We understand the inconvenience, but safety comes first," the highway police chief, Sub‑Inspector Anita Sharma, told reporters.

Families of the injured have gathered at the hospital, anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones. The district administration promised financial assistance for those whose family members were severely injured, and a thorough audit of the bus’s maintenance records will be conducted.

Incidents like this underscore the broader issue of road safety in India, where bus‑truck collisions are sadly common on busy national highways. Experts urge stricter enforcement of speed limits, regular vehicle inspections, and better driver training to prevent such tragedies from recurring.