Gwalior: A painful road accident in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh late on Saturday night turned the atmosphere of Navratri into mourning. An uncontrolled truck rammed into the crowd of devotees near Shitala Mata Temple. At least 12 people died in this accident, while about 40 people are said to be injured. The incident happened at around 1:30 in the night on the road coming from Chinor. There was chaos on the spot after the accident. The police and administration team took the injured to the hospital, where their treatment is ongoing.
How did the truck go out of control and crush the devotees?
According to Gwalior SSP Dharamveer Singh, due to Navratri, a large number of devotees were reaching Shitala Mata temple for darshan. The Chinnor road leading to the temple is sloping and there is a ban on entry of heavy vehicles. Despite this, a truck loaded with paddy broke the police barricades and moved ahead.
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Twelve people were killed and 39 injured after a truck went out of control while descending a hill near the historic Sheetla Mata Temple, around 18 km from the district headquarters. The injured, including children, women and two police personnel, were taken to J.A. Hospital, where five are in critical condition.
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It was told that the truck went out of control on the slope and came down rapidly. After this he collided with the outer wall and gate of the temple. During this time, many devotees present on the road got hit by it. Two policemen deployed at the spot were also injured in the accident.
How many people died in the accident and how many are injured?
According to initial information from the administration, 12 people have died and about 40 people have been injured in the accident. SSP said that the injured have been taken to the hospital. The condition of five to six patients is said to be serious. Some people suffered serious injuries, including fractures, while other injured people suffered relatively minor injuries.
Collector Ruchika Chauhan said that as soon as information about the incident was received, ambulances and other important vehicles were sent to the spot. Arrangements were made by the administration to provide immediate medical aid to the injured. Treatment of the injured is continuing in hospitals.
How did the truck get inside?
The biggest question arising after the accident is that despite the ban on heavy vehicles and the presence of police, how did the truck reach the road leading to the temple. According to officials, stoppers and police check-points were installed on this route during Navratri.
Despite this, the truck breaking the barricades and moving ahead raises questions on the security arrangements. The administration has started investigating the matter. A team from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has also been sent to check the technical condition of the truck. The investigation will try to find out why the truck went out of control and how it reached the restricted route.
What did the eyewitnesses say?
According to an eyewitness to the accident, the incident happened around 1 am. He said that the truck came suddenly and hit the people and some shops present on the way. The eyewitness also claimed that the truck was overloaded with goods. His brother also suffered injuries in this incident.
According to eyewitnesses, there was chaos at the spot after the accident and many people started calling for help. The police and administration team started relief and rescue operations. The injured were taken to the hospital, where their treatment is ongoing.
At present the police are investigating the cause of the accident. Only after investigation will it be clear whether the truck went out of control due to technical fault, driver’s negligence or some other reason.
