Tragedy on the Banga Flyover

In the early hours of Monday, around 4:40 a.m., a Volvo coach transporting 41 tourists from Manali to Amritsar lost control on an elevated road near the village of Mazari and tumbled onto the slip lane below, jolting the quiet town of Banga, Punjab.

Fatalities and the Injured

The collision claimed four lives, among them Josna George, a Kerala student at Lovely Professional University, chartered accountant Vishal Rattu of Amritsar, and Aditya Gautam from Ludhiana. The identity of the fourth victim is still being verified.

Sixteen passengers suffered serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals; the critically‑ill were later shifted to better‑equipped facilities in Banga. The remaining 21 travelers escaped with minor or no injuries and were escorted from the site with their luggage.

Rescue Efforts and Police Action

Local law‑enforcement, headed by Banga DSP Harjit Singh Randhawa, arrived within minutes of the first emergency call. Rescue crews pried open the mangled bus, freed trapped occupants, and secured personal belongings. Ambulances transported the injured to medical centres, while the bodies of Josna George and Vishal Rattu were handed over to their families after post‑mortem examinations. The other remains are being held at the Shivpuri Baba Gola mortuary.

Driver Arrested, Investigation Underway

Authorities detained the driver, Vivek Kumar of Sharna village, Balh (Ratti) in Himachal Pradesh. A case has been filed against him under the Indian Penal Code, with investigators probing whether driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or other negligence caused the bus to veer off the flyover.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage, eyewitness statements, and the vehicle’s maintenance records to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly plunge.

Community Reaction and Safety Calls

The people of Banga remain in mourning as families await further details. The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter safety inspections of tourist buses and tighter driver‑alertness protocols on high‑speed routes.