Punjab: 11 killed, 9 injured as pick-up van collides head-on with truck
Eleven persons were killed and nine severely injured on Friday morning here when a pick-up van collided head-on with a mini-truck.
Condolence messages poured in from political leaders as soon as the accident took place. The accident occurred around 8 am on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road near Mohan ke Uthar village in Guruharsahai subdivison of the district.
According to the police, a pick-up van was carrying around 25 persons, who worked as waiters and were going to Jalalabad for a marriage function. As soon as the pick-up reached near Mohan ke Uthar village, its driver lost control over it as he allegedly tried to overtake another vehicle and eventually hit the truck coming from the opposite direction.
While eight persons died on the spot, three succumbed to their injuries at nearby hospitals. Those who died were Mukesh Kumar, Vicky, Ravi, Gobinda, Chand, Lakhan, all residents of Guruharsahai; Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Chakk Ruhele Wala; Bagga Singh, a resident of Jhandewala village; Jaswant Singh, a resident of Saroop Singh Wala; and Malkeet Singh, a resident of Lalchian village. One of the dead is yet to be identified.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saumya Mishra said they are investigating the exact reason behind the incident.
Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said the critically injured persons were referred to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College in Faridkot and the Civil Hospital in Jalalabad.
The police have registered a case against the truck driver, including Sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed grief over the accident. “I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured. The Punjab Government stands with the affected families in this difficult time,” Mann posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Mann said he was monitoring the situation and directed officials to provide free treatment to the injured.
Former Shiromani Akal Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal too expressed grief in a post on X. “Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. May all those affected by this tragic event find strength during this difficult period,” he said.
BJP leader and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said on X, “My heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and praying for the quick recovery of the injured.”
