1 killed, 30 hurt as bus carrying pilgrims rams into tree in Sirsa
youth in his twenties was killed and 30 people received injuries after a private bus from Punjab carrying pilgrims rammed into a tree before hitting a road divider near Panniwala village of Sirsa district on Tuesday.
The bus, which was carrying 42 pilgrims, including 31 women, was heading to the Radha Soami Satsang dera near Sirsa town from Punjab’s Malout. The accident took place at about 8am when the bus driver lost control over the vehicle. Twenty three women are among those injured.
Some villagers, who were working nearby, informed the police and started rescue work. Police personnel and officials from the local administration reached the spot and with the help of the locals sent the injured to three hospitals and a nearby primary health centre.
The deceased, identified as Amit Makkar (26) of Malout, was sitting in the seat next to the driver.
Police sent his body to the general hospital in Sirsa for postmortem examination.
Talking to mediapersons, tehsildar Vazir Singh said, "Fortytwo pilgrims were on their way to attend a discourse at Radha Soami Satsang near Sikandarpur village. The bus driver, identified as Malkeet Singh (32), lost control over the vehicle. Amit Makkar died on the spot.” Bus conductor Rohit Kumar (25) received minor injuries.
He said all the victims are residents of Malout. Among those identified are Simran, Kajal, Shakuntala, Saloni, Sashi Madan, Rajni Rani, Nitu, Pawan, Asha Gaba, Meena, Amit Chand, Rahul Kumar, Sunita, Asha and Malkeet Kaur.
Odhan police station station house officer (SHO) Jagdish Joshi said, “We are investigating the matter. the police are recording the victims’ statement.”
ALL PASSENGERS, INCLUDING 31 WOMEN, BELONG TO PUNJAB’S MALOUT TOWN; DRIVER LOST CONTROL OVER BUS HEADING TO RADHA SOAMI SATSANG DERA NEAR SIRSA TOWN