Tragic Accident in Maihar Claims Three Lives, Over 25 Injured

Maihar, May 19: A tragic accident occurred in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, when a speeding truck collided with a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims heading to the Maa Sharda Devi temple. The impact was devastating, resulting in the deaths of three devotees and injuring more than 25 others.

The incident took place late Monday night in the Amadwara police jurisdiction. According to police officials, the injured included Tika Ram Kurmi, the officer in charge of the Amadwara police station, along with several women and children, many of whom are in critical condition.

The victims were from the Lodhi community in the Rithi area of Katni district. They were on a pilgrimage with relatives and friends when the sacred journey turned into a nightmare around 1:30 AM near Surma. A heavy truck, traveling at high speed, struck the trolley from behind.

Police reports indicate that the collision was so severe that the trolley overturned and fell off the road. Allegedly, the truck driver did not stop after the initial collision. Instead, he attempted to flee the scene, hitting the tractor-trolley two more times in quick succession. This repeated impact exacerbated the tragedy, leading to the immediate deaths of three pilgrims and leaving many others severely injured.

Rescue teams and local police quickly arrived at the scene, providing immediate medical assistance and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.

The Amadwara police have registered a case against the fleeing truck driver and launched a large-scale operation to locate him. Efforts are ongoing to identify the vehicle based on CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and eyewitness accounts.

Police teams have been deployed on various routes to track down and apprehend the driver.

Local residents and pilgrims have expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. They have urged authorities to enhance monitoring of heavy trucks, increase patrols, and implement more speed control measures on highways to prevent such incidents in the future.

–