At least three people were killed and eight others injured when a truck laden with cotton overturned near Dei Kheda in Bundi district on Sunday, police said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later met the injured at the hospital and assured assistance to the families of the deceased.
Kota Range Inspector General Rajendra Prasad Goyal said that the accident occurred in an area affected by dense fog. He said the truck laden with cotton lost control, overturned near Dei Kheda and allegedly hit the pedestrians.
Goyal said, “Today a very tragic incident took place in which 3 people lost their lives and 8 people got injured. The injured are undergoing proper treatment… The District Collector is also monitoring the situation and I, along with the highways team, will visit the spot to investigate whether the accident was caused by any technical glitch, so that such an incident does not happen again in future.”
He further said, “We are conducting a thorough investigation along with the highways team to find out whether technical glitches led to the tragedy.” Goyal also said that additional safety measures will be taken to prevent further accidents, especially during the pilgrimage season. “We have received instructions from higher authorities to deploy five to eight police patrol vehicles to create safe passage for pedestrians,” he said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was admitted to the hospital, Met the injured, expressed grief over the incident and said the accident could have been avoided.
Om Birla said, “This accident could have been avoided as all the devotees were going to Chauth Mata temple, which is visited by a large number of pilgrims. I was present at the spot. A separate corridor should be made to ensure the safety of these pilgrims. The injured are currently undergoing treatment. We will also support the families of the deceased and their children. Such incidents cause widespread grief,” Om Birla said.