Seven devotees killed as truck rams pickup carrying Durga idol on Samruddhi Mahamarg near Dhamangaon Railway
A speeding truck hit a Bolero pickup and trolley carrying devotees from Shegaon to Wardha late on Friday, killing seven and injuring several others.
Seven devotees were killed and several others injured in a major road accident on the Samruddhi Mahamarg late on Friday night. The accident took place in the Talni area near Dhamangaon Railway, close to Channel No. 97.
According to the information available, a group of devotees was travelling from Shegaon towards Wardha with an idol of Goddess Durga. The idol was placed in a Bolero pickup. A trolley was attached to the back of the pickup, carrying about 20 to 23 devotees.
A speeding truck, CG-07-CG-8855, coming from behind rammed into the Bolero pickup, MH-05-BH-5793. After the impact, the pickup went out of control and overturned on the expressway.
The accident was so severe that five devotees died on the spot. Two more who were critically injured died during treatment, taking the toll to seven.
On learning of the accident, local residents and police reached the spot and began relief and rescue work. The injured were rushed to the rural hospital at Dhamangaon Railway. Those in serious condition have been referred to hospitals at Sawangi Meghe and Sevagram for better treatment.
Rural Superintendent of Police Niketan Kadam reached the spot with senior police and revenue department officials. He also visited the hospital and took stock of the situation there.
The process of officially identifying the dead and the injured is under way. A pall of gloom hangs over the area after the accident. Mangrul Dastgir police are investigating the case further.
