A harrowing accident occurred early this morning on the Bhiwani-Loharu road as a private school bus collided head-on with a stationary truck, blanketed by a thick layer of seasonal fog.
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The Crash: The incident took place around 8:15 AM near the outskirts of the city. According to preliminary police reports, the visibility was less than 10 meters at the time of the collision. The school bus, carrying approximately 20 students, was unable to spot the truck parked on the shoulder of the road, leading to a high-impact crash.
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Casualties and Injuries: * Students: Five children, aged between 8 and 14, sustained various injuries. Two are reported to have suffered fractures, while the others have minor bruises and are being treated for shock.
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The Driver: The bus driver bore the brunt of the impact. He was trapped in the mangled cabin for nearly 30 minutes before being extracted by locals and police using heavy cutters. He is currently in a “Critical” state at a local trauma center.
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Rescue Efforts: Local villagers were the first to reach the spot, providing immediate assistance and helping children exit through the rear emergency door. Ambulances arrived shortly after, shifting the injured to the Bhiwani Civil Hospital.
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Administrative Action: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) and senior police officials visited the hospital to check on the children’s well-being. An inquiry has been ordered to determine if the bus was adhering to the revised “Fog-Time” schedules issued by the Education Department earlier this week.
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Safety Concerns: This accident has reignited the debate over school timings during extreme winter. Angry parents at the site demanded that schools be closed immediately until the visibility improves. “Every year we see such accidents, yet the administration waits for a tragedy to happen before declaring winter holidays,” said a parent of one of the injured students.
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Traffic Advisory: Police have cautioned drivers to use fog lights and maintain a speed of under 30 km/h on rural roads during early morning hours.
