Bhopal/Khandwa, April 10 – A tragic road accident on Friday claimed one life and left 36 people injured, 14 of them critically, when a speeding truck carrying around 40 passengers overturned on the Moondi-Sanawad highway near Dudgaon, under the Punasa outpost area in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.
The deceased, 60-year-old Babulal, a resident of Talwadiya village, has been identified. The victims, all members of the Gurjar community, were returning from a traditional ‘mamera’ ceremony (a customary wedding-related event) at Thukra Devla village when the accident occurred. The group had travelled from Talwadiya (Attar) in a joyful mood, which quickly turned into mourning.
According to police officials, the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle but lost control. The overloaded truck veered off the road and overturned, falling approximately 25-30 feet away. Many passengers were trapped under the vehicle, leading to chaotic scenes as locals rushed to the spot to rescue the injured using private vehicles and ambulances.
Police officials have also stated that the truck driver was trying to overtake another truck. They are gathering evidence and taking statements from the injured. The injured were first taken to the Sanawad hospital and later transferred to the Khandwa district hospital.
Fourteen of them are critically injured, including those with severe head and limb injuries, and have been referred to the MY Hospital in Indore for advanced treatment, officials said.
Police officials have attributed the accident primarily to overloading, reckless overtaking, and driver negligence. Further investigation is underway to examine the driver’s condition, the mechanical aspects of the vehicle, and the exact sequence of events. Most of the injured were from the same community, which left the region in shock.
The local administration is providing all possible medical and logistical support to the affected families. The police have registered a case in this matter, and an investigation is ongoing into why the truck driver was allowed to carry people unchecked, especially during festive family gatherings.