It was a life-and-death state of affairs: Survivor recounts horror of Kurnool bus hearth

I wouldn’t have made it if that emergency window hadn’t opened, stated 27-year-old Jayant Kushwaha, one of many passengers who escaped alive from the burning luxurious bus that caught hearth close to Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district early on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Over 25 passengers had been reportedly charred to demise and a number of other others injured when the non-public bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru went up in flames after a collision.

Speaking to The Hindu from about 10 kilometres outdoors Kurnool, Jayant recounted the terrifying moments contained in the AC sleeper coach carrying round 42 individuals, together with the driving force.

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“I used to be travelling alone, heading again to work in Bengaluru,” he stated. “My household lives in Hyderabad. I had come house for Diwali on the twentieth of October and was supposed to remain longer, however I left early to attend a good friend’s wedding ceremony in Bengaluru on Sunday.”

He stated the bus had its final washroom break round 12:30 am. “At round 2:30 am, the bus all of a sudden got here to a halt. I didn’t realise what was occurring at first. There was panic in all places as individuals started to get up. It was then we noticed the fireplace. The principal door was jammed.”

Passengers later learnt that the driving force had rammed right into a two-wheeler and dragged the rider below the automobile, triggering the blaze. “The entrance and left aspect of the bus caught hearth. When the primary door didn’t open, I went for the rear emergency exit. With a variety of effort, punching, hitting it with my shoulder and head, we managed to interrupt the window within the again, which was about eight or 9 ft above the bottom. I threw my carry-on bag which had my laptop computer out and jumped. Around 9 or ten others jumped too. Many sustained accidents as they landed. The driver who induced the crash escaped, as did the second driver. Around 19 or 20 of us survived,” he stated.

Jayant stated by round 9.30 a.m., about eleven passengers had been taken to hospital, whereas a couple of others with minor accidents hitchhiked in direction of Hyderabad or Bengaluru. “The ambulance and hearth vans got here after almost an hour, round 2:30 or 3 am. Thankfully, a policewoman who occurred to be passing by in her non-public automobile stopped and known as for assist. The hearth was lastly put out by about 4:30 am. We gave our statements to the police.”

He stated he didn’t instantly name his household. “After all the pieces was over, I known as house and advised them. My father was about to depart for Indore by prepare. He requested if he ought to cancel the journey. They had been apprehensive. I wasn’t severely injured, only a few bruises on my hand. Initially I solely advised my dad as a result of my mum would have panicked,” he stated.

Jayant, who often travels between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, stated he had used the identical bus service many occasions. “Maybe the bus was previous,” he added. “It seemed previous. The emergency window, the driving force’s cabin, all the pieces was jammed.”

Passengers seated behind the driving force later advised him that the driving force initially tried to douse the flames utilizing sand however ultimately fled the scene. “The second driver was taken to the hospital for remedy,” he stated.