Six Killed, 20 Injured as Luxury Bus Rams Parked Truck on Vadodara-Halol Highway.
Vadodara:
At least six people lost their lives and around 20 others sustained injuries after a luxury bus crashed into a parked truck on the Vadodara-Halol highway in Gujarat’s Vadodara district during the early hours of Wednesday, police said.
The tragic accident occurred near Kotambi village at approximately 4 a.m. when the private luxury bus, travelling from Rajasthan to Surat, collided with the rear of a truck that had been stationed on the roadside.
According to Vadodara District Superintendent of Police (SP) Sushil Agrawal, the truck driver had stopped the vehicle to check tyre pressure when the speeding bus rammed into it from behind.
“The luxury bus was heading from Rajasthan to Surat when it crashed into the rear side of the truck. The truck had been parked on the roadside as its driver was checking tyre pressure,” Agrawal said.
The collision was so severe that the front portion of the bus was completely crushed, trapping several passengers inside. Rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the mishap.
Police officials said six passengers died on the spot or succumbed to their injuries shortly after the accident. Around 20 injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Several of them are reported to be in critical condition.
Most of the passengers travelling on the bus were residents of Rajasthan, officials added.
Personnel from the Jarod Police Station in Vadodara Rural launched rescue operations soon after reaching the accident site. Due to the extensive damage caused to the bus, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also deployed to assist in extricating trapped passengers and clearing the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash in the predawn hours, following which local residents rushed to help the victims before emergency services arrived.
The accident led to temporary disruption of traffic on the Vadodara-Halol highway as rescue and recovery operations continued for several hours.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary findings suggest that overspeeding may have played a role, though officials said all aspects, including visibility conditions and the positioning of the truck, are being examined.
The incident once again highlights concerns over road safety and highway accidents involving long-distance passenger vehicles. Further details, including the identities of the deceased and injured, are awaited as police continue their investigation.
Casualties at a Glance
Dead: 6
Injured: Approximately 20
Location: Near Kotambi village, Vadodara district, Gujarat
Time of Accident: Around 4:00 a.m., June 17, 2026
Vehicles Involved: Luxury bus and parked truck
Bus Route: Rajasthan to Surat, Gujarat
Rescue Agencies: Gujarat Police and NDRF teams
Authorities are monitoring the condition of the injured and have assured all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.
