13 killed, over 40 injured as paddy-laden truck runs over pilgrims at Gwalior temple
Truck loses control while trying to negotiate steep slope, breaks through police barricades before crashing into pilgrims standing outside temple
At least 13 people were killed, and over 40 others were injured after a paddy-laden truck lost control and ran over devotees gathered near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior late on Saturday night (October 17).
ANI, quoting Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, said the incident occurred at around 1.30 am when the truck carrying paddy and travelling from Chhinor lost control on a steep slope where heavy vehicles are barred from plying.
Truck tore through police barricades: Police
The officer said that the out-of-control truck tore through police barricades before crashing into the pilgrims gathered around the temple and then hit the temple’s outer wall and gate.
Singh said two police personnel who were on duty at the place were also injured.
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He said around 39 people were rushed to the hospital, but 12 of them died. The condition of five to six patients is critical.
Speaking about the incident, Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan said a stopper and a police checkpoint were present on the said road for Navratri, and an investigation will reveal how the vehicle managed to break into that perimeter.
Eyewitness recounts tragedy
“We have also sent an RTO team to inspect the truck mechanically and find out what issue occurred and how it veered to the left. As for the injured undergoing treatment, the team is continuously performing CT scans and X-rays to ensure their treatment is properly aligned," she told ANI.
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An eyewitness and brother of one of the injured said he saw the tragedy unfold before his eyes and that the truck seemed overloaded and suddenly lost control, crushing people under its wheels.
“This occurred at around 1 am. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people. My brother also sustained injuries. There is still chaos at the spot of the incident,” he told ANI.