Bhind (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night collision between a passenger pickup and a dumper truck on NH-719 in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district claimed eight lives and left 32 people injured, triggering a rescue operation involving police and local residents.
The accident took place at around 1 am near Chhimka village along the Bhind-Gwalior route. Initial information suggests that the pickup, carrying workers who were returning to Uttar Pradesh, collided with the dumper after the driver apparently tried to avoid cattle lying on the highway.
The workers were from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh and had been in the area for paddy transplantation work. They were reportedly travelling back home after completing the agricultural assignment when the accident occurred.
The force of the collision caused multiple injuries among those travelling in the pickup. Following the crash, villagers gathered at the location and helped police evacuate the injured. All 32 injured workers were taken to Gohad Hospital for medical attention. Those requiring specialised treatment were later referred to hospitals in Gwalior.
Eight workers died in the accident. Their bodies were shifted to the mortuary as officials began the process of confirming their identities and informing their families.
The crash briefly brought traffic on the highway to a standstill. Police and local residents worked to remove the damaged vehicles from the road, following which traffic movement was restored.
Officials are examining the sequence of events that led to the collision. The role of cattle on the highway and other factors surrounding the accident are also being looked into as part of the preliminary investigation.
