A tourist coach carrying a group of pilgrims from Kerala met a serious mishap in Bihar’s Buxar district early Monday. While moving from Gaya toward Ayodhya, the bus collided with a lorry parked on the shoulder shortly after it had crossed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge, resulting in 23 people sustaining injuries.

From Gaya to Ayodhya: The Pilgrimage Route

The convoy consisted of 27 devotees who had gathered in Gaya to perform the traditional pind daan rites. After completing the ceremony, the bus set off around 10 p.m. on Sunday, heading for the holy city of Ayodhya. At approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, the vehicle passed the Veer Kunwar Singh Ganga Bridge when the collision occurred.

How the Collision Happened

Eyewitnesses reported that most passengers were asleep when the bus suddenly rammed into a lorry that was stationary on the road’s shoulder. The impact jolted travelers from their seats and caused panic inside the coach.

Local residents and officers from the Industrial Police Station arrived quickly, helping to extricate the injured and transport them to Buxar Sadar Hospital.

Injuries and Medical Response

A total of twenty‑three individuals, including driver Ramesh Swami, were hurt. The driver sustained the most serious injuries. Four passengers remain under observation at the hospital, while the others received initial treatment and were later discharged.

The following pilgrims were listed as injured:

  • K. Venu Rao
  • K. Rajeshwari Rao
  • K. Narayan Rao
  • K. Swami Rao
  • K. Vijaya Rao
  • K. Sampath Rao
  • P. Ilaiah
  • G. Ram Reddy
  • G. Raju Reddy
  • K. Sampath
  • V. Sarvaiya
  • B. Ilaiah
  • V. Rama Rao
  • T. Ehesia
  • P. Venkata Rao
  • T. Sampath Rao
  • T. Narasimha Rao
  • G. Rajeshwari Rao

Medical officials confirmed that none of the injuries were life‑threatening. Several pilgrims were released and continued their journey by train from Buxar railway station.

First‑Hand Accounts

One passenger, K. Swami, said he was asleep when a deafening crash jolted him awake and threw him against the seat in front. Another traveler, Ram Rao, speculated that driver fatigue might have played a role, although police have not verified this claim.

Police Inquiry

Industrial Police Station SHO Sonu Kumar noted that the police reached the scene promptly after receiving a distress call. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the possibility of driver exhaustion, to determine the precise cause.

After receiving medical care, the remaining pilgrims were discharged and proceeded to Buxar railway station to resume their pilgrimage by train.