The driver lost control of the speeding vehicle…
Patna: On Monday, 21 November 2022, the driver of a truck that ploughed into a religious procession killing at least eight people, including seven children, in Bihar's Vaishali district was rescued from the mangled vehicle and arrested, a senior police officer said.
The driver lost control of the speeding vehicle on the Mahnar-Hajipur highway. He was admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and efforts were going on to ascertain his identity, he said, adding his condition is stable.
After the accident took place in Hajipur on Sunday night, local RJD MLA Mukesh Roushan, who reached the spot, had claimed that 12 people were killed but police had not issued any official toll.
Talking to news agency PTI on Monday, Vaishali Superintendent of Police (SP) Manish Kumar said, "A total of eight people, including seven children, were killed in the accident, while seven other critically injured people are undergoing treatment at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) and PMCH."
"The driver was rescued from the mangled vehicle and arrested for negligent and rash driving. He is undergoing treatment in PMCH and his condition is stable now," he said.
The accident took place in Desri area, around 30 km from state capital Patna, around 9 pm when some people had gathered in front of a roadside peepal tree to offer prayers to the local deity 'Bhumiya Baba'.
The dead and injured were in a procession that was taken out as part of a custom associated with marriage. A wedding was scheduled a few days later in the nearby Sultanpur village.
The speeding truck was moving through the adjacent Mahnar-Hajipur highway and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The victims were identified as Varsha age 8, Suruchi (12), Anuskha (8), Shivani (8), Khushi (10), Chandan Kumar (20), Komal Kumari (10) and Satish Kumar (17). Further identification process is going on.
The Mahua MLA, had earlier claimed that at least nine people died on the spot and three others succumbed to their injuries while being taken to hospitals.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.