Three people were killed and twelve others injured on Tuesday morning following a devastating head-on collision between an overcrowded ambulance and a night bus on National Highway-37 near Hukanpukhuri in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
The accident occurred around 5 am on the Tinsukia-Makum stretch. The ambulance, reportedly carrying 15 individuals from Powai Tea Estate to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, collided with the bus. Among the deceased were a couple, Gobin Bhuyan (55) and his wife Minju Bhuyan (50), who died on the spot. Their son, Kankan Bhuyan (24), was among the injured. A third victim, Kumar Chetri (56), later succumbed to his injuries at Tinsukia Civil Hospital.
Local residents initiated the rescue, pulling passengers from the severely damaged ambulance. The bus passengers escaped unharmed.
Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar confirmed the casualty figures and stated that the bus driver has been detained. “Dense fog blanketed the area this morning, which may have been a contributing factor. A thorough investigation is underway,” Kumar said.
The incident has raised serious concerns, with the victims’ family questioning the ambulance’s condition. The brother of the deceased Minju Bhuyan, revealed that the ambulance was overcrowded and alleged reckless driving. “My sister had previously expressed concerns about the driver’s rough driving, fearing an accident. Tragically, her fears came true,” Saikia stated, adding that his brother-in-law was a kidney patient en route to his regular dialysis appointment.
District Commissioner Swapneel Paul visited the injured at the hospital.
