8 hurt as e-cart overturns at zoo

An electric cart ferrying 15 visitors overturned at Chhatbir Zoo here this afternoon, injuring eight of them. Among the injured were children, women and senior citizens.

The incident took place around 3 pm when the driver swerved to his left in a bid to avoid hitting children playing on the road, said zoo officials.

Passengers, however, claimed the driver was watching his phone and failed to notice the kids in time. He took a sharp turn, causing the cart to roll down a shallow ditch.

Passersby rescued the passengers. The officials said all injured were given first aid and taken to a nearby hospital.

“The injured have submitted their complaints to the field director. An inquiry will be conducted and necessary action taken. The e-cart service has been temporarily suspended till further notice,” said Harpal Singh, a spokesperson for the zoo.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of visitors at the zoo. Thirty e-carts with a capacity of 15 passengers each and two toy trains were operational at the zoo on a contract basis. On weekends, around 10,000 people visit the place.

“There were three families in the cart. Passengers sitting in the front seat escaped unhurt and resumed their visit after the accident. A family from Yamunanagar and another from Uttarakhand have submitted their complaints to the field director. One of them stated that the driver was busy with his phone, while the other stated that a child abruptly came on the road. Such an incident has happened for the first time here,” said the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Field Director Neeraj Kumar met with the injured and assured them of necessary action.