17 churchgoers dead, over50 injured in Meghalaya accident
The truck carrying passengers overturned after the driver lost control and hit a concrete railing, throwing most of the people down a deep gorge
MEGHALAYA HEALTH MINISTER ROSHAN WARJRI VISITED THE CITY HOSPITAL AND MET THE INJURED PEOPLE
GUWAHATI: Seventeen people, including nine women and a 13-year-old girl, were killed and over 50 injured when a loaded truck carrying churchgoers overturned in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya on Sunday morning.
The accident occurred around 8.30am at Nongspung village, 11 km from the district headquarters of Nogstoin on the road to Shillong.
“Preliminary investigations show that the accident took place due to rash driving. The truck was carrying nearly 70 people from three nearby villages, all of whom were heading to church,” said West Khasi Hills superintendent of police Sylvester Nongtnger.
The truck overturned after the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a concrete railing on the hilly road — throwing most of the passengers in the back down a deep gorge.
“Twelve people died on the spot and five others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Nearly 50 others are injured. The driver also sustained grievous injuries,” Nongtnger said.
“We have registered a case against the driver under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Motor Vehicles Act,” the police official said.
Most of the injured have been shifted to two hospitals in the district. Meghalaya health minister Roshan Warjri visited the city hospital and met the injured persons. Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the accident, state home minister HDR Lyngdoh promised action against those involved as per provisions of the law.
Authorities said rescue and relief efforts are on.