Saharanpur: Four devotees were killed and more than 15 others sustained injuries when a canter truck crashed into a group of pilgrims returning on foot from the Shakambhari Devi shrine in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Saturday morning, police reported.
The accident occurred when a canter truck carrying a load of utensils struck the pilgrims as they were resting on a highway flyover. The victims who lost their lives were identified as residents of Kushawali village in the Sardhana area of Meerut district. The injured individuals were rushed for medical treatment, and those in critical condition were subsequently transferred to higher-tier hospitals in Saharanpur and Meerut following initial care, according to police officials.
Authorities have successfully taken both the driver and the cleaner of the canter truck into custody regarding the collision. Circle officer Amit Kumar Singh stated that four people died in the crash, and law enforcement personnel detained the driver and cleaner while investigating the precise circumstances that led to the incident for subsequent legal actions.
Local officers noted that a group numbering approximately 18 individuals from Kushawali village had journeyed to the Shakambhari Devi shrine on October 7. They were making their journey back on foot carrying the sacred flame of the goddess when the crash took place at roughly 7 am on Saturday.
The group had paused to rest briefly on the flyover situated along the highway in Deoband, establishing a protective circle with a rope before stopping. As they rested, the utensil-laden canter truck approached from behind and plowed into them, law enforcement added.