A devastating accident in Amroha district claimed three lives, including a five-year-old boy, and left several others injured after a speeding dumper truck plowed into a crowd of devotees at a Hanuman temple on Tuesday evening. At least five of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Incident Details
The tragedy occurred around 6 pm near Kothi Khidmatpur village, where a large gathering had assembled for a Ramayan Path recital to mark the fourth Tuesday of the holy Jyestha month. According to Additional SP Akhilesh Bhadauria, the gravel-loaded dumper went out of control, rammed into a tree, and ploughed through devotees sitting both inside and outside a temporary pandal before crashing into the temple structure. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as Param Singh (70), Mahipal (42), and five-year-old Aryaveer, who was visiting his maternal grandparents and had accompanied his mother to the recital. An eyewitness recalled, "Before anyone could understand what was happening or run to safety, the truck had already ploughed through the crowd."
Public Outrage and Protests
Outraged by the incident, locals and grieving families blocked the Amroha-Kanth road for nearly two hours, placing bodies on the highway to demand immediate compensation and the driver's arrest. District Magistrate Nitin Gaur intervened to clear the blockade, assuring protesters that administrative documentation is being expedited on priority to provide financial assistance to the victims' families.
Police Investigation
Police have launched a hunt for the absconding driver and are tracking the owner of the dumper, which carries a Haryana registration plate. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.
