Five Dead, Dozens Injured in Border Region Bus Crash
A devastating road accident on the Kardega valley slope, a border area separating Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, claimed five lives and left 37 people injured on Friday morning. The incident occurred when a passenger bus suffered catastrophic brake failure on a steep stretch, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent collision.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The ill-fated bus had embarked from Kurdeg in Simdega district, Jharkhand, destined for Kunkuri. At approximately 9:45 AM, near Godamba village under Kardega chowki, the vehicle experienced brake failure on a precipitous incline. This mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the bus overturning after colliding with an under-construction roadside house.
Victims and Casualties
The deceased have been identified as three individuals from Simdega district: Sampatti Devi (52), Digeshwar (40), and his five-month-old son, Ghanshyam. The other victims were Mahesh Ram (45) and his wife Bimla from Jashpur district in Chhattisgarh. Kunkuri block medical officer Dr. K. Kujur officially confirmed the fatalities.
Among the 37 injured, 23 were women. The injured passengers hail from various locations: 13 are from Simdega district, while the others originate from areas under Kunkuri, Duldula, Tapkara, Kansabel, and Narayanpur police stations in Jashpur district.
Emergency Response and Medical Care
Local authorities, including police and district administration teams, swiftly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations. Jashpur SSP Lal Umed Singh attributed the accident to the driver losing control near Godamba village.
Medical response was immediately mobilized. Four critically injured individuals were referred to Ambikapur Medical College and Hospital for advanced care. The remaining injured are receiving treatment at hospitals in Kunkuri block and Jashpur district hospital.
Official Reactions and Support
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed profound grief over the incident in a social media post, describing it as "extremely tragic and heart-rending." He has directed district authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for all injured persons and to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families during this difficult time.
This accident underscores the ongoing challenges of road safety in hilly border regions, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and infrastructure improvements to prevent such tragedies in the future.
