A 19-year-old boy was critically injured and and least four others were hurt after an allegedly speeding truck got out of control and rammed into multiple vehicles on National Highway 44 (NH-44) here on Saturday afternoon. The accident took place between Samrala Chowk flyover and Sherpur.
In the accident, 19-year-old Mohit, who had come from Faridabad, was critically injured as his leg was crushed under the truck’s wheel. Tarkeshwar Pandey, an e-rickshaw driver, and passengers — Kamlesh and Ajay from Tibba Road — were also injured in the incident. Ajay, a bike rider ferrying Mohit, sustained injuries as well.
According to information, Tarkeshwar was to drop the passengers at Dhandari railway station. All the injured were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.
In a stretch of around 300 metres, the truck hit three motorcycles, a tempo, an e-rickshaw and a Mahindra Scorpio N on a test drive. Though SUV sustained heavy damage, its occupants escaped unhurt.
Mohit said he reached Ludhiana on Saturday and was heading to his uncle’s house in Ramgarh. He booked a bike from Dhandari station using the Rapido ride hailing app. Bike rider Ajay was taking him towards Ramgarh and as they reached near Heera Nagar Road, a speeding truck rammed into the vehicle from behind.
The impact threw Ajay to the roadside while Mohit fell in the middle.
Ajay told reporters the truck driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
The truck also damaged roadside poles and other structures. The accident sent debris of vehicles and roadside structures flying across the road, causing traffic congestion on nearby routes. Long queues of vehicles formed on the Delhi-Jammu National Highway, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Traffic police, highway authorities and personnel from the Motinagar police station reached the spot and diverted the traffic.
Investigating officer assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gurpreet Singh said the truck was seized and brought to the police station. A case was registered and further investigation taken up.
