In a serious late-night road accident, a Uttarakhand Roadways bus collided with a crane parked along an under-construction stretch of the national highway near Rajputan village in the Bahadrabad area of Haridwar. Several passengers were injured in the crash, with at least three reported to be in critical condition.
Our correspondent reports that the bus, operating from the Meerut depot, was en route from Haridwar to Roorkee when it struck the stationary crane around 10 p.m. The impact damaged the front section of the bus, trapping several passengers inside. Locals rushed to the spot and, with the help of police and rescue teams, broke windows to pull the injured out of the vehicle.
Emergency services shifted the critically injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that timely intervention by residents and first responders prevented a higher casualty count. Police teams managed traffic and secured the site to facilitate the rescue operation, which continued until late at night.
Our correspondent adds that preliminary investigation suggests poor visibility and inadequate warning signs near the construction site may have contributed to the collision. The crane was reportedly stationed as part of ongoing highway work but lacked clear reflective markers or barricades. Officials have begun recording statements from witnesses and collecting evidence, including footage from nearby CCTV cameras.
Traffic movement along the affected stretch was disrupted for several hours. The police temporarily diverted vehicles through alternate routes while clearing the damaged bus and crane from the highway.
Senior transport and highway officials have directed the construction contractor to review safety compliance at all ongoing work zones. They have also ordered an inspection of the signage, lighting, and warning systems used near construction machinery to prevent such incidents in future.
Hospital sources stated that all injured passengers were receiving medical attention, and three individuals remained in critical condition as of Wednesday morning. The police have informed the families of those hurt and are assisting them in coordinating with hospital authorities.
Residents of nearby areas expressed concern over frequent lapses in safety at highway construction sites. They urged that proper barricades, signage, and lighting be made mandatory during night-time operations. Road safety experts have reiterated that better visibility and strict enforcement of safety measures are essential to avert accidents involving heavy machinery on active corridors.
Our correspondent adds that the local administration has assured a detailed investigation into the incident. The district authorities have said that responsibility will be fixed if negligence is found on the part of the construction agency or transport personnel.
The collision has once again raised questions about road safety during ongoing infrastructure projects. Officials have promised that lessons from this accident will guide stronger preventive measures to protect both commuters and workers along high-risk routes.
