One killed, five hurt as speeding canter rams into group of people

One person was killed and at least five others injured when a speeding canter rammed into a group of people drinking sweetened water at a chhabeel along the Ambala-Rajpura stretch of the National Highway near Manji Sahib Gurdwara on Saturday.

Advertisement

The deceased has been identified as Firoz, a native of Uttar Pradesh.

According to information, a chhabeel had been set up by local volunteers near the gurdwara to provide relief from the intense heat. Several people had stopped to drink water when a fast-moving canter lost control and struck the crowd and parked vehicles.

Police reached the spot soon after the accident. The injured were taken to Civil Hospital, Ambala City, and the wrecked vehicles were cleared from the highway.

The injured have been identified as Jishan, Sumit, Shalu, Surinder Singh and Asif. Jishan was later referred to GMCH-32, Chandigarh, for advanced treatment, while the others were admitted to the Civil Hospital.

“The canter driver has been detained,” said SHO Suresh Kumar of Ambala City police station. “Some people had organised a chhabeel on Rajpura Road when a rashly driven canter hit those standing there. One person has died and five others are injured. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway,” he said.

He said the chhabeel was held without prior police permission, which is now part of the inquiry.