Elderly man killed as pickup hits his scooter on way to Bhai Dooj tilak at sister's home in Chhindwara

An elderly man riding a scooter was killed in a road accident on Wednesday morning in the Chourai police station area of Chhindwara district. He was on his way to his sister's home to have a tilak applied and to meet her on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. News of the accident plunged Bamhni Lala village into mourning.

The deceased has been identified as Vrindavan Patel, 60, a resident of Bamhni Lala and son of Mangal Singh Patel. He had set out on his scooter towards Grehtiya on Wednesday morning.

At about 11 am, near Grehtiya, a speeding pickup hit his scooter head-on. He was thrown onto the road. He suffered serious injuries to the head and body and lost a great deal of blood. He died on the spot.

The pickup driver fled the scene after the accident. Police reached the spot on being informed and inspected the site. The body was sent to the hospital in Chourai for post-mortem.

Police said action is under way to seize the pickup, and a search is on for the absconding driver.

The family had been preparing for the festival, but the news of the accident turned the joy into grief. Patel was going to his sister's home for the Bhai Dooj tilak and to meet her. The sister was waiting for her brother to arrive, but the news of his death reached her instead. Bamhni Lala and the surrounding area are in mourning.