Bathinda: A massive overhead gantry, uprooted by a severe storm, collapsed onto a highway in Punjab's Moga district on Monday, narrowly missing a van carrying schoolchildren. The incident occurred on the Barnala-Moga highway between Bilaspur and Lopo, where strong winds, heavy rain, and a hailstorm brought the large signboard crashing down.
Van Avoids Direct Collision
The van, travelling from Barnala, came to a sudden halt after brushing against the fallen structure. Witnesses reported that the gantry had collapsed only minutes before the van reached the spot. The driver managed to brake hard, avoiding a direct collision with the debris.
Sukhjit Singh, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, stated, "The driver braked hard to avoid a direct collision." The quick action of the driver ensured that all passengers, including schoolchildren, escaped without injury.
No Casualties Reported
Badhni Kalan station house officer (SHO) Jaswinder Singh confirmed that there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident. The debris was cleared shortly after the accident to restore traffic on the highway. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution during adverse weather conditions.
The storm, which also brought heavy rain and hail, caused significant disruption in the region. Local authorities are assessing the damage and have advised residents to stay indoors until the weather improves.
