RANCHI: Seven people, including three women and four children, were killed and one person injured after a speeding trailer truck rammed into a group of people in Jharkhand’s Khunti district. The accident occurred when the truck was taking a sharp turn on a road.
According to eyewitnesses, a scooter rider lost control of the vehicle near Koshambi Colony and veered into roadside bushes. Hearing the commotion, residents rushed to help the rider.
While some people assisted the injured rider, several women and children stood along the roadside. That is when a speeding trailer approaching from the Torpa side rammed into them. The impact was so severe that many of them did not get a chance to react. Six people, including four women, died on the spot.
The accident wiped out two families. Resident Birsa Nayak said three members of his family, his wife, Kasila Devi, daughter Anjali and one-year-old grandchild Saurabh, were killed in the accident. His other daughter, Khushboo, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Khunti Sadar Hospital.
In another case, a man named Rajesh lost his wife, Fagan Sanga, mother, Karmi Lohrain, and two daughters, Subhani Kumari and Soni Kumari. Rajesh had left for Gujarat just three days ago to work as a labourer and has since been informed about the tragedy.
The truck driver and cleaner abandoned the vehicle and fled after the accident. Police reached the spot after receiving information, took possession of the bodies and launched efforts to trace the driver and his assistant.
Khunti Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg said the truck, which was coming from Torpa, ran over the people while negotiating a sharp turn. The driver might have failed to notice the crowd because of darkness, he said.
“Seven people died and one sustained injury. Six victims died on the spot, while one succumbed during treatment,” said Garg.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“The heartbreaking news of seven people losing their lives in a road accident in Karra, Khunti, has deeply saddened me. My deepest condolences go out to all the grieving families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May Marang Buru grant peace to the souls of the departed and give their grieving families the strength to bear this sorrow,” posted Soren on X, further adding, “I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident who are receiving treatment.”
