3 killed, 16 injured as truck goes out of control in Jalandhar

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 4

Three people, including two women, were killed and 16 injured on Tuesday when a truck went out of control during a Shobha Yatra being taken out in the city to mark the Ram Navmi celebration.

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The deceased women have been identified as Kusum Gill, a resident of Govind Nagar, and Vinni Rajput, while the male is yet to be identified.

Three of the critically injured, including four children, were referred to various super-specialty hospitals in the city and the rest were getting admitted to the civil hospital here.

Health Minister Brahm Mohindra has announced free treatment to the injured.

According to an eyewitness, Vinod, he along with members of a musical band was walking in front of the truck (PB13-AB5826) when the incident occurred.

The driver seemed to be a novice and was applying brakes with repeated jerks, he said. “Though we warned him repeatedly he did not pay heed. As the procession reached near shoe bazaar at Jyoti Chowk around 6pm, the truck driver suddenly sped up, lost control and ran over everything that came in front of it,” Vinod said, adding that the person walking next to him was also trapped under the truck. It came to a halt after hitting the wall of Valmiki Chowk.

The police have claimed it to be an accident where the driver seemed to have pushed the accelerator instead of applying the brakes and have arrested Amit, who was behind the wheel, and Gurmeet Singh, the actual driver of the truck.

They are also investigating how Amit, who is a working at a flower decoration shop in the city and does not have a valid driving licence, got hold of the truck’s key.

Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varinder Sharma said the police have started investigation and will also look into the incident from sabotage angle.

Chaos was reported from the civil hospital where relatives of the victims, senior officials and political leaders came rushing.

Congress MLAs Rajinder Beri, Sushil Rinku and Bawa Henry visited the spot followed by former MLA K.D. Bhandari.