A devastating road accident on the Bathinda-Dabwali National Highway claimed the lives of four pilgrims from Rajasthan and left seven others injured early Wednesday morning. The victims were travelling in a Tempo Traveller to visit the Golden Temple and the Amarnath shrine when their vehicle rammed into a parked truck near Gurusar Sainewala and Jodhpur Romana villages.
Details of the crash
The collision occurred around dawn on the Amritsar-Jamnagar Highway, a route frequently used by pilgrims. The impact of the crash was so severe that the Tempo Traveller was completely mangled, with survivors and eyewitnesses describing a scene of chaos and grief. The truck was reportedly stationary on the roadside at the time of the accident.
The deceased have been identified as Mahinder Kumar, his wife Manisha, and Pankaj, his wife Dimple — all residents of Balotra in Rajasthan. The group was part of a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
Injured taken to hospital
Seven injured individuals were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda for emergency treatment. A survivor, who was visibly distraught, repeatedly pleaded with police personnel to take him to the hospital, according to witnesses at the scene.
Sandeep Singh, a volunteer with the Sahara Jan Seva Welfare Society, said he received a call about the accident and immediately reached the spot. He stated that the NGO deployed three ambulances to shift the victims and transport the bodies to hospitals. Three bodies were taken to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda, while one was kept at AIIMS Bathinda.
Investigation underway
Police have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. A doctor at the Civil Hospital confirmed that the identities of the deceased were established by checking their Aadhaar cards. The doctor also noted that all four victims belonged to Balotra, Rajasthan.
The incident has once again raised concerns about highway safety, particularly regarding stationary vehicles parked on roadsides without proper warning signs. Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution, especially during early morning hours when visibility may be reduced.
