BETTIAH, Aug. 23 -- Five people died and as many others were injured after a speeding bus ran over them while they were watching an orchestra programme organised as part of the chhathi (the sixth-day celebration of a newborn) in a village near Lauriya in West Champaran late Friday evening, police said. Lauriya's station house officer (SHO) Inderjeet Paswan said the incident took place around 10:45 pm on Friday along the Lauriya Marg in Parau Tola under the jurisdiction of Lauriya police station. "The crowd spilled onto the road while watching the orchestra programme, with chairs also placed on the NH-727 along the Bettiah-Lauriya stretch passing through the area. Suddenly, a speeding bus travelling from Gorakhpur to Bettiah lost control while trying to avoid a collision with a truck coming from the opposite direction and ploughed into the gathering. As a result five people were killed and several others injured," the SHO said, clarifying the number of injured as five in the incident. The incident led to a stampede-like situation at the event, he added. Video footage of the spot showed a grim scene: victims lying in pools of blood, and people struck with panic and grief. Broken chairs, shattered glasses and debris were scattered all around. People could be seen rushing around in confusion, with screams and cries, and ambulances carrying the victims adding to the chaos. The deceased have been identified as Bahadur Mahto, Sanjay Kumar, Bhola Dubey, Devender Dubey and Jhangur Ram. The 'chhathi' was organised for Devender Dubey's daughter. Narrating the harrowing experience, Nathu Mahato, whose only son Sanjay Kumar died in the incident, said that his family members, along with more than 100 villagers, had gathered at the house of Devendra Dubey (who also died) in Bankatwa Parautola on Friday. "As the orchestra programme began, the gathering swelled, and some guests occupied a portion of the National Highway facing the venue. Suddenly, a speeding bus came and ploughed into the crowd... Five died and four injured; several others suffered minor injuries," said Mahato, a resident of Basawariya village. After the incident, the injured were rushed to a nearby Referral Hospital at Lauriya, police said. At the hospital, Dr. Rausan Kumar, medical officer-in-charge, said, "In all, eight injured were brought to the hospital, two of them in critical condition. Later, they all were referred to the GMCH at Bettiah." The injured admitted to GMCH are Naresh Ram, Shyam Babu Kumar, Ajit Kumar, Fakhruddin Ansari and Motichand Mahto. After the incident, the drivers of the truck managed to flee from the spot. Later, the police seized both vehicles....