Gurdaspur, 05 June (H.S.): A tragic road accident took place on Friday morning near Batala on the Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway, in which two pilgrims returning from Mata Vaishno Devi died, while 14 others were seriously injured. The accident occurred when a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims collided with a tipper truck moving ahead of it.
According to information, near Udhowal Adda, the driver of the tipper suddenly turned the vehicle towards the slip road. At the same time, the tempo traveller coming from behind at high speed crashed into the rear side of the tipper. The collision was so severe that the tempo traveller was badly damaged and its parts were scattered on the road for nearly 50 metres.
All the passengers involved in the accident are said to be residents of Mansa district. The pilgrims had first gone to Srinagar through a tour company and later spent two days in Katra. They had started their return journey at around 10 pm and were supposed to reach Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda via Amritsar.
After the accident, local residents, Punjab Police and State Special Force teams immediately launched a rescue operation. As the roof of the tempo traveller was torn off, several passengers were trapped inside the vehicle and were pulled out after great effort.
One male passenger died on the spot, while a woman succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. The injured were first taken to Civil Hospital Batala, where after initial treatment, seriously injured passengers were referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar.
According to doctors, one injured person suffered a deep head injury, while the condition of the tempo traveller driver is also stated to be critical. Other injured passengers are undergoing treatment.
SSF incharge Hardyal Johal said both vehicles involved in the accident have been taken into custody. Police are recording the statements of the injured, and legal action has been initiated against the tipper driver. The police are investigating the matter and trying to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
