DEHRA: A 55-year-old woman was critically injured on Friday after being run over by HRTC bus at the Dehra bus stand in Kangra district. Both her legs were crushed in the accident, which triggered panic at the spot.
The injured woman has been identified as Sushma Devi (55), wife of Mast Ram, a resident of Sihoti Khurd. According to reports, she had visited the Dehra Block Office with her husband, who is a ward panch of Sihoti Khurd Gram Panchayat, for some personal work. The incident took place when the couple reached the bus stand after finishing their work.
According to eyewitnesses, the HRTC bus (HP 36C-4843) was preparing to depart for the Baroh route. As the bus reached the bus stand from the depot and was reversing into its designated bay, passengers rushed to board due to heavy crowd on the rural route. In the rush, Sushma lost her balance and fell directly under the front tyre of the vehicle, suffering severe injuries to both her legs.
Immediately after the accident, onlookers and HRTC employees pulled her out from under the bus and rushed her to the Civil Hospital in Dehra. Following primary treatment, doctors referred her to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital in Tanda owing to her critical condition.
Chaos prevailed at the bus stand for some time following the incident. SP Dehra Sandeep Dhawal stated that a police team reached the spot as soon as information was received. Police have launched an investigation into the matter. Statements of the bus driver, conductor, and eyewitnesses are being recorded to determine the exact cause of the accident, based on which further legal action will be taken.
