Five Killed, 11 Injured as Speeding Truck Hits Stranded UPSRTC Bus in Etah

At least five people were killed and 11 others injured after a speeding canter truck crashed into a stationary Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) bus on the Etah-Aliganj road late on Thursday night, raising fresh concerns over highway safety and the protection of stranded motorists.

According to district officials, the UPSRTC bus, travelling from Farrukhabad to Delhi , suffered a mechanical breakdown near Keelarmau village in the Bagwala area at around 11.30 pm . The vehicle was parked on the roadside for repairs, and several passengers had stepped out and were waiting nearby when the canter truck allegedly rammed into the bus from behind at high speed.

The impact crushed passengers standing outside the bus. Four people identified as Rajesh (34), Sukhram (42), Shailesh (32) and one unidentified man died on the spot, while another unidentified victim later succumbed to injuries at a hospital, taking the death toll to five .

Local residents, police personnel and emergency responders rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations , shifting the injured to the Government Medical College in Etah. Hospital authorities said 11 people were admitted for treatment, with most reported to be out of danger.

District Magistrate Arvind Singh said the bodies had been sent for post-mortem examination and a case had been registered. A preliminary investigation indicates that overspeeding and negligent driving by the canter truck driver were the likely causes of the crash. Further investigation is underway.

The incident has once again highlighted persistent highway safety concerns , particularly the risks faced by passengers when vehicles break down on busy roads. The accident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement against overspeeding, improved roadside safety measures, and better emergency protocols to protect stranded commuters.