HRTC bus overturns, but quick thinking saves lives

A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus travelling from Dibber to Shimla overturned on the Sanora-Neripul-Chaila road in Rajgarh subdivision this morning, after developing a technical fault. The accident occurred around 8 am, near Dhali, when the vehicle’s suspension rod reportedly broke, causing the bus to lose balance.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver acted swiftly and deliberately steered the bus into the hillside, overturning it on the road rather than letting it plunge down the steep valley. This timely decision prevented what could have been a major tragedy.

The police said eight passengers were on board at the time. The driver, conductor and one woman passenger sustained minor injuries. They were immediately taken to Theog Hospital in Shimla district by local residents using their own vehicles.

Following the incident, the road remained blocked until the afternoon, leading to heavy traffic congestion on both sides. A crane was later deployed by the Rajgarh police to move the bus off the road and restore traffic flow.

Rajgarh SHO Rajvinder Singh confirmed the technical failure and praised the driver’s presence of mind, which he said helped avert a far more serious mishap. “The driver acted wisely and ensured the bus did not roll into the gorge. With the help of a crane, the bus was shifted and traffic was restored,” he said.