Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Saturday that the driver of a passenger traveller that collided head-on with a container truck along National Highway-715 near Kaziranga may have suffered a sudden medical emergency—such as an acute stroke—instigating a crash that has claimed 26 lives.
The collision left 16 passengers hospitalised across Golaghat and the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, with roughly a dozen fighting for their lives in intensive care units. Most victims were students returning home from afternoon classes when the impact shattered the mini-bus at Rangajan.
The impact was catastrophic.
Sarma inspected the wreckage on Saturday morning, reviewing dashcam recordings pulled directly from the container truck. Investigators noted the highway ran straight and unobstructed before the passenger vehicle swerved abruptly across the median line into oncoming freight traffic. Forensic teams are now weighing two primary hypotheses: sudden incapacitation from a cerebrovascular stroke, or severe intoxication.
The road appeared clear before the traveller suddenly changed direction and moved towards the container truck. The investigators were examining two possible explanations: whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or had suffered a stroke.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam
A standard post-mortem would not suffice. The state directed forensic pathologists to execute an advanced, microscopic autopsy on the deceased driver to isolate cardiovascular blockages or cranial hemorrhages. Officials confirmed the driver lived locally and held full familiarity with the corridor's terrain and strict traffic protocols.
Road safety protocols along the ecologically sensitive Kaziranga National Park corridor enforce a rigid ceiling of 40 km/h to shield traversing wildlife. Yet initial police reconstructions indicate the traveller exceeded that threshold significantly before the impact. Sarma ordered Golaghat district authorities and state police battalions to intensify physical checkpoints and automate speed tracking across the entire reserve belt.
The state and union governments moved swiftly to disburse financial aid to shattered families navigating the morgues.
| Crash Parameter | Official Status |
|---|---|
| Incident Location | Rangajan, NH-715, Golaghat District |
| Confirmed Fatalities | 26 deceased |
| Hospitalised Survivors | 16 injured (approx. 12 in ICU) |
| Key Treatment Centres | Jorhat Medical College & Hospital (JMCH) |
| Highway Speed Limit | 40 km/h |
| Total Ex-Gratia Package | ₹9 lakh per deceased kin (₹7L State, ₹2L Centre) |
District medical officers in Golaghat expect to conclude the full batch of autopsies by late Saturday evening, while specialized surgical units at JMCH continue round-the-clock monitoring of the critical trauma patients.