16 Killed, 20 Injured As Overcrowded Pickup Van Overturns In Madhya Pradesh

Dhar: At least 16 people, including two children, were killed and 20 others sustained serious injuries after a pickup vehicle they were travelling in overturned following a collision with an SUV in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Wednesday night.

The mishap occurred at around 8:30 PM near Reliance petrol pump in Chiklia under Tirla police station limits. According to police, the pickup van enroute to Amjhera and carrying around 40 labourers, along with their children, collided with a Scorpio and overturned, resulting in fatal injuries.

Soon after the mishap, passersby and local residents rushed to the site, and pulled out victims trapped under the overturned vehicle. Along with them, several injured workers who were found lying on the road in a critical condition, were rushed to Dhar District Hospital by ambulance. According to eyewitnesses, several people died on the spot, with bodies seen lying on the road.

Receiving information, Tirla police station personnel and administrative officials reached the spot for rescue operations. “The driver of the pick-up van lost control over the vehicle due to overcrowding, following which it collilded with another vehicle and turned turtle,” police said.

Dr Satyapal, the emergency medical officer at the district hospital, said all the injured who arrived are being treated. “More than 12 people, including two children, have died in the accident. Three seriously injured persons have been referred to Indore for advanced treatment.”