Hazaribagh: Seven people have died and sixteen others injured in an accident when a speeding trailer hit a passenger vehicle on the Grand Trunk Road in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.
The incident occurred in Danua Valley in Chauparan Police Station area close to Mahanetand cut and Hathiya Baba. The injured were taken to Chauparan Community Health Centre initially. Eight passengers who were critically injured have been referred to Hazaribagh after first aid.
The passengers were returning from Atka, Biharo and Salaiya villages of Bagodar block, Giridih district, to perform the last rites of a relative in Varanasi.
Hazaribagh Accident Details
It has been reported that the body of the deceased relative were being carried atop the passenger vehicle.
On reaching Mahanetand cut in Danua Valley, the rope tied to the body broke loose. The passengers brought the vehicle to halt on the roadside to secure the body.
A speeding trailer hit the vehicle, which resulted in extensive damage. Initially five people were reported to have died at the spot and sixteen injured.
A coal loaded truck hit the vehicles from behind resulting in them falling into the valley. The driver of the trailer has allegedly fled the scene.
Rescue Operation and Police Probe
Chauparan Police Station In-charge Pankaj Kumar headed a team who reached the scene of the accident soon after the information.
With the help of locals and police personnel the injured were shifted to Chauparan Community Health Centre along with the help of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) ambulances. Eight critically injured passengers were referred to Hazaribagh after first aid.
1033 highway helpline and ambulance services were also used during the rescue operation.
Many family members and locals arrived at the hospital. The bodies were sent for post mortems by police.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident and find the driver of the trailer who allegedly fled.