The bus reportedly lost control after the collision, plunged into a roadside gorge and burst into flames. Most passengers were asleep when the crash occurred, with several suffering burn and impact injuries.BY
PC Bureau
July 1, 2026: At least seven people were killed and 22 others injured after a private sleeper coach travelling from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, to Indore, Madhya Pradesh, collided with a trailer truck and caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa district during the early hours of Wednesday.
The tragic accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. near the Dhanawda rest area under the jurisdiction of Kolwa police station, triggering a massive rescue operation involving police, fire brigade personnel, highway authorities and local residents.
Bus Plunges into Gorge After Collision
According to police, the sleeper bus was travelling at a high speed when it rammed into the rear of a trailer moving in the same direction. The impact caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which veered off the expressway, fell into a roadside gorge, and burst into flames within moments.
The fire spread rapidly through the bus, leaving many passengers trapped inside while others desperately attempted to escape through broken windows and emergency exits.
Officials said the bus was carrying around 37 passengers at the time of the accident, most of whom were asleep when the collision occurred.
Seven Dead, Many Sustain Serious Injuries
Authorities confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the accident.
According to preliminary reports, five victims died due to severe burn injuries, while two others succumbed to critical head injuries sustained during the collision.
The 22 injured passengers—including several women and children—were rushed to Dausa District Hospital, where multiple victims are undergoing treatment. Some passengers with serious injuries have reportedly been referred to higher medical centres for specialised care.
Police are working to identify the deceased and inform their families.
दिल्ली-मुंबई एक्सप्रेसवे पर दौसा में बस और ट्रक की जोरदार टक्कर के बाद लगी भीषण आग। हादसे में 8 यात्रियों की मौत और 22 लोग गंभीर रूप से घायल हुए हैं, रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन जारी। pic.twitter.com/6sZN1NNjsP
— Expose Now (@ExposeNowNews) July 1, 2026
Passengers Describe Horrific Ordeal
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of panic as passengers were jolted awake by the violent impact.
Many occupants sleeping in the upper berths were reportedly thrown from their beds by the force of the crash, while others struggled to escape as flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
Local residents who reached the scene before emergency responders reportedly helped break windows and pull survivors from the burning bus.
Survivors described hearing cries for help as thick smoke filled the vehicle, making rescue efforts extremely difficult.
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Firefighters Battle Blaze
Fire brigade teams and police personnel launched rescue operations soon after receiving information about the accident. Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control before rescuers could retrieve victims trapped inside the charred remains of the bus.
Emergency teams also secured the accident site and ensured traffic movement on the expressway was restored after the rescue operation.
Driver Fatigue, Overspeeding Under Investigation
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Preliminary findings suggest the driver may have either dozed off at the wheel during the overnight journey or lost control because of excessive speed. Officials are examining the vehicle’s condition, driver records and other evidence to determine the exact sequence of events.
Investigators are also expected to inspect the trailer involved in the collision and review CCTV footage from the expressway, if available.
Locals Allege Delay in Emergency Response
Residents living near the accident site alleged that fire brigade and rescue teams arrived nearly an hour after the bus caught fire, claiming the delay may have increased the death toll.
Some locals also alleged that the luggage compartment of the bus contained large quantities of cigarette packets, which they believe intensified the fire and caused it to spread rapidly. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed these claims, and the matter forms part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials Monitor Investigation
Dausa Superintendent of Police Piyush Dixit, along with senior district administration officials, reached the accident site to oversee rescue operations, supervise the investigation and coordinate assistance for the injured and the families of those killed.
Officials said efforts are underway to complete victim identification, arrange post-mortem examinations and facilitate communication with relatives.
Renewed Focus on Highway Safety
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to concerns surrounding driver fatigue on long-distance overnight routes, speeding by commercial passenger vehicles, and the preparedness of emergency response systems on India’s expanding network of high-speed expressways.
Authorities are expected to examine whether safety protocols were followed by the bus operator and whether additional measures are needed to improve accident response times on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release further details after forensic examination of the accident site and statements from survivors.
