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Four Killed : Four people, including a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, lost their lives on Tuesday morning after a passenger bus was involved in a deadly collision in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, according to officials. The incident occurred on the busy Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, disrupting traffic and prompting an immediate response from local authorities and emergency services.

Accident Location and Timing

Officials said the crash took place around 11 a.m. near the Jakhani–Chenani stretch of the highway, an area that regularly sees heavy vehicular movement. The road was partially obstructed at the time due to a load carrier that had been parked on the roadside after developing a mechanical problem. A mechanic was attending to the vehicle when the accident occurred.

Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash

Preliminary information indicates that the bus was traveling from Doda towards Jammu when the driver lost control of the vehicle. In rapid succession, the bus first struck a motorcycle moving along the highway. Moments later, it slammed into the stationary load carrier that was undergoing repairs at the roadside.

The impact was severe, leaving little chance for those closest to the collision to escape harm. Officials noted that the force of the crash caused extensive damage to both the motorcycle and the parked carrier.

Victims at the Scene

Two of the victims—the mechanic working on the load carrier and the driver of that vehicle—were killed instantly due to the intensity of the collision. Their identities had not been officially released at the time of reporting, pending notification of their families.

Inside the bus, panic followed the sudden impact. Two passengers were reportedly thrown out through an emergency exit window as the vehicle lurched violently. Both sustained critical injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save them, they succumbed to their injuries while being transported for medical treatment. One of the deceased was confirmed to be a CRPF jawan, officials said.

Emergency Response and Traffic Impact

Local police, highway patrol teams, and medical personnel reached the scene shortly after the accident was reported. The injured were shifted to medical facilities, while authorities worked to clear the damaged vehicles from the roadway.

Traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was temporarily slowed as rescue and recovery operations were carried out. Officials later restored movement after ensuring the road was safe for use.

Ongoing Inquiry and Safety Concerns

Authorities have initiated an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the driver losing control of the bus. Factors such as road conditions, mechanical failure, and driver response are expected to be examined as part of the investigation.

The incident has once again drawn attention to safety challenges on mountain highways, where narrow stretches, roadside breakdowns, and high traffic volumes often increase the risk of serious accidents. Officials urged drivers to remain alert, adhere to speed limits, and exercise caution, especially near stopped or disabled vehicles.

Further details are expected once the investigation progresses and formal reports are completed.