8 die as buses collide on Purvanchal eway

New Delhi, July 25

In all, eight persons died and 20 others were injured when a Delhi-bound double-decker bus rammed into a stationary bus on Uttar Pradesh’s Purvanchal expressway today, the police have said.

Three persons are reported to be critical and have been referred to a trauma centre in Lucknow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and said the state government was providing all possible help to the victims.

The collision took place in Barabanki district, about 30 km from Lucknow.

While one of the buses had started off from Sitamarhi in Bihar and was heading to Delhi, the other bus too headed to Delhi had started from Supaul in Bihar. The Supaul bus was stationary when the bus coming from Sitamarhi hit it from behind.

The accident took place around 4.30 am. The police suspect the driver had dozed off.

“The accident on Purvanchal expressway is extremely saddening. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Along with this, I wish speedy recovery to all injured persons,” the PMO said in a tweet.