Maharashtra: 8 killed, 24 injured as van falls off bridge

DHULE: Eight people, including five children below the age of 10, died after a pick up van fell off a bridge into Bori river at around 12.30am on Saturday.
The mishap took place on Chalisagaon-Dhule highway near Vichur village when the van driver lost control of the vehicle in an attempt to avoid a pothole while crossing a bridge on the Bori river, an official said.
According to police, the driver possibly dozed off which led to the mishap.
According to police the labourers were on their way to Dhule from neighbouring district of Madhya Pradesh. The bridge is located at Dhule-Chalisgaon road.
The vehicle hit parapet of the bridge, broke it and plunged into the river around 40 to 50 feet below, an official said.
As the van hit rocky riverbed, seven of the passengers died on the spot, while one woman died during treatment.
The van was carrying 31 passengers. Twenty-three of them sustained injuries.
All of them were admitted to Hiray Medical College in Dhule, the police official said.
The deceased were identified as Ritesh Ledaram Arya (6 months), Jinyabai Ambu Pavra (13 years), Miyali Ledaram Arya (23 years), Ravina Ledaram Arya (5 years), Karan Sevasingh Barela (3 years), Haramsingh Sevasingh Barela (5 years), Lalsingh Ambu Pavra (20 years) and Guddibai Barela (30 years), all residents of Dhaulyagiri, taluka Sendhwa, district Barwani, Madhya Pradesh.
After the accident, villagers from nearby area informed the police who rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation, the official said.
The driver of the van, identified as Sagar Bharat Tambade, resident of Osmanabad, and his two helpers were absconding.
A case of accident was registered with Dhule taluka police.
(With inputs from PTI)