Bhopal/Khandwa: A tragic road accident on Friday claimed one life and left 36 people injured, 14 of them critically, when a speeding truck carrying around 40 passengers overturned on the Moondi–Sanawad highway near Dudgaon under the Punasa outpost area in Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh.
The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Babulal, a resident of Talwadiya village. The victims, all belonging to the Gurjar community, were returning from a traditional ‘mamera’ ceremony (a customary wedding-related event) at Thukra Devla village when the tragedy struck. The group had travelled from Talwadiya (Attar) in a joyful mood that quickly turned into mourning.
According to police officials, the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle but lost control. The overloaded truck veered off the road and overturned, falling about 25–30 feet away. Many passengers were trapped under the vehicle, leading to chaotic scenes as locals rushed to the spot to rescue the injured using private vehicles and ambulances.
The police officials have also said the truck driver was trying to zip past another truck. They are gathering evidence and taking statements from injured people. The injured were first taken to Sanawad hospital and later shifted to Khandwa district hospital.
Fourteen of them are critically injured, including those with severe head and limb injuries, and have been referred to MY Hospital in Indore for advanced treatment, the officials said.
Police officials have attributed the accident primarily to overloading, rash overtaking, and driver negligence. Further investigation is underway to examine the driver’s condition, the mechanical aspects of the vehicle, and the exact sequence of events. Most of the injured were from the same community, which left the region in shock.
Local administration is providing all possible medical and logistical support to the affected families. Police have registered a case in the matter, and an investigation is going on into why the truck driver was allowed to carry people unchecked, especially during festive family gatherings.
(IANS)
