New Delhi, March 25 – A swift and coordinated rescue operation by police personnel, nearby security staff, and locals helped save many lives after a speeding sleeper bus from Jaipur overturned near the Hanuman Mandir in central Delhi's Karol Bagh late Wednesday, killing two passengers and injuring 23 others.
The accident occurred around 1 am when the bus, carrying approximately 30 passengers, lost control while negotiating a sharp turn at a roundabout near the temple, police said.
Within moments, the area, which was otherwise quiet at that time, turned into a scene of chaos, with cries for help echoing through the night.
Police personnel stationed at a newly established nearby security post and booth were among the first responders.
"We heard a loud crashing sound followed by a thick cloud of dust and smoke rising near the roundabout," a police officer who was present at the scene said.
He added that personnel rushed to the spot, only to see that the sleeper bus had overturned and the people inside were screaming for help. Some passengers were trying to break open the windows in a desperate attempt to escape.
A senior officer said that the prompt action by the security staff proved crucial in initiating rescue efforts, even before additional teams arrived. Night patrolling staff and officers from the Karol Bagh police station soon joined in, forming a coordinated response team within minutes.
In a crucial move that significantly accelerated the rescue, a JCB machine which was passing nearby was immediately stopped by police personnel and put to use. The heavy equipment was used to carefully lift one side of the overturned bus to create space for rescuers to reach those trapped underneath and inside.
"Large cement blocks and stones lying nearby were strategically placed under the bus to stabilize it and prevent further movement during the rescue. The JCB operator cooperated immediately. We lifted the bus slightly and secured it using heavy stones so we could safely pull out passengers," the officer said.
Locals played a key role in extracting victims from the mangled vehicle. One of them recounted how he improvised methods to minimize further injuries during the rescue.
"I picked up a large stone to break the windows. We placed cloth and bus seats on the sharp edges of the windows so that no one would get hurt while coming out. Then we started pulling passengers out one by one," he said.
He added that despite the panic, there was a strong sense of urgency and purpose among everyone present. "My only aim was to save as many lives as possible. People were crying, some were unconscious. We didn't think twice," he said.
As the rescue operation intensified, teams from the Delhi Fire Services and additional police units reached the spot and joined the effort. Fire department personnel used specialized equipment to cut open parts of the bus, including the rear emergency exit, to access those trapped deeper inside.
An eyewitness said that police and fire personnel reached the spot very quickly, and immediately began cutting open the rear side of the bus to rescue passengers.
Police said that the combined effort led to the rescue of all 23 injured passengers, including several who were trapped in the sleeper berths when the bus overturned. Many of them sustained injuries due to the impact and broken glass.
Ambulances were arranged swiftly, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals, including Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College.
According to police, 12 injured were taken to RML Hospital, where two men later succumbed to their injuries, 10 were shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and one to Lady Hardinge Medical College, while others with minor injuries were administered first aid at the spot.
Several of the injured have since been discharged after treatment.
"Timely intervention by police personnel, supported by public cooperation, was instrumental in preventing a larger tragedy," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said.
He also said that the immediate response by security staff, night patrolling teams, and local residents helped save multiple lives. Rescue operations were launched without delay and all trapped passengers were pulled out.
Police have registered an FIR against the bus driver who also sustained injuries, and further investigation into the incident is underway.
Mahesh had boarded the bus with his brother Mukesh (30) from Haryana where they worked together. While Mahesh died in the incident, Mukesh survived, with his brother's bloodstains on his jeans telling a tragic story.
"Despite us telling the driver to slow down several times, he did not pay any heed to our requests. He was also drunk. Around 11.30 pm, he stopped near an eatery telling us to get fresh and take our meals while the bus halted for half an hour," Mukesh told