Bus driver’s desperate move fails to avert Hyderabad’s deadly crash

In the final seconds before tragedy struck near Chevella on November 3 morning, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus driver fought to steer his vehicle away from an oncoming truck.

But the truck, barreling down the wrong lane, never slowed — and within moments, 19 lives were lost in one of Telangana’s deadliest road accidents in recent years.

The preliminary inquiry by TSRTC has revealed that the bus driver, identified as Dastagiri, made a desperate attempt to avoid the collision. “Based on brake and skid marks at the scene, it is evident that the driver swerved the bus sharply to the extreme left to prevent impact,” said K. Sreelatha, Regional Manager, TSRTC. “He had no room left to move further. The markings clearly show the bus was trying to get away from the truck.”

The head-on collision killed both drivers instantly and left the right side of the bus ripped open. At least 72 passengers were onboard at the time of the crash. Many of the victims were buried under the gravel load the truck was carrying, police said.

Cyberabad Police investigating the case said the truck crossed into the opposite lane and rammed the bus at high speed. “The impact was so severe that the bus was pushed nearly 50 feet backward,” said Additional Director General (Law and Order) Mahesh Bhagwat.

Investigators suspect that the truck driver may have fallen asleep or lost control moments before the crash. “We are exploring the possibility that his senses were numbed — perhaps due to fatigue or intoxication,” said a senior officer. Viscera samples have been sent to a forensic laboratory for testing.

Police have also ruled out any attempt by the truck to overtake another vehicle. “There is no evidence or testimony suggesting that,” the officer added. “It appears the truck was drifting wantonly into the oncoming lane when the collision occurred.”

Authorities are now piecing together the final moments of the two vehicles — one whose driver fought to avert disaster, and another whose silence at the wheel sealed a devastating fate.