Two killed, four injured as truck crushes cars in Delhi

Two women were killed and four people were injured when a heavily loaded truck rammed a divider while trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The truck overturned

Two women were killed and four people were injured when a heavily loaded truck rammed a divider while trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The truck overturned on the other side of the road and crushed two cars at 7 am on Thursday in west Delhi’s Raja Garden.

The overturned truck being towed away.

Passenger Murti Devi (65) and pedestrian Rama Devi (55) were killed in the accident near ESI Hospital. Murti lived in Azadpur and Rama was from Uttam Nagar. Both were homemakers, police said.

Police said a red Honda Amaze car had three passengers — Tripti Garg (19), her classmate Shubham (19) and Tripti’s grandmother, Murti Devi. They were going towards Gurgaon from Azadpur.

A white Alto had four people — Phool Kumar (40), Pawan Kumar (32), Udham Singh (24) and Bhawnesh (4). They were taking the minor to a paediatrician in AIIMS for urinary problems.

Tripti, Phool, Pawan and Udham were injured. Bhawnesh and Shubham escaped unhurt.

The truck carrying goods was headed to Punjabi Bagh from Raja Garden Chowk, when Rama allegedly came in front of it suddenly while trying to cross the road. The truck hit Rama, rammed a divider and crushed two cars coming from the opposite direction.

“A call was made to the police control room at 7.15 am. When we reached the spot, the truck had crushed the cars. The passengers were rescued and taken to ESI Hospital where Murti Devi, was declared dead,” said a senior police officer.

He said Rama died on the spot. “Both were killed due to severe head and face injuries,” he said.

Eyewitnesses told HT that the cars’ upper portion was damaged under the impact. Passengers were trapped inside till the police rescued them. When police arrived, the truck driver had absconded.

“I came to my shop around 9 am and saw this horrible sight. A truck had overturned and crushed two cars. A huge crowd had gathered around the accident spot. Those who had already arrived before me said police had taken out the bleeding passengers one by one. Most of them could hardly stand. The vehicles were damaged beyond recognition,” said shopkeeper Sanjay Singh.

“A case for rash driving and causing death by negligence were registered against the unknown person at Rajouri Garden police station. The truck and the two cars were seized. Efforts are on to nab the truck driver,” said the officer.