AGRA: Six labourers sleeping on the pavement on national highway-2 were crushed to death and one critically injured after a speeding truck ran over them in
Agra city. The accident took place around 2.15am opposite of Synergy Hospital near Gurudawar Guru Ka Taal.
The truck driver attempted to flee but he and his helper were caught after a brief chase by the Cheeta mobile team and Sikandra police.
The accused driver has been identified as Munesh and his aide as Sintu.
Police identified two of the deceased and efforts to identify others were on. Police said an FIR has been lodged against the driver and his helper under IPC sections 279 (rash driving on public pathway), 304A (causing death by negligence) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others)
Arvind Kumar, station house officer (SHO) of Sikandra, said, "The truck was heading towards Gurugram to take delivery of motor-bikes for a Mainpuri based auto showroom. Munesh lost control of the truck while negotiating a curve and the vehicle climbed the pavement on which the group of labourers was sleeping. Five of them died on the spot and one died during treatment in SN Medical College."
"We have identified two of the deceased -- including Subhas Sharma of Lohamandi and Sunil of Shahganj. The critically injured victim has been identified as Nitin Sharma of Jagdispura," the SHO added.
According to sources, a total of nine labourers were sleeping on the pavement, but two of them were lucky to have escaped unhurt. One Santosh Chaudhary had gone to relieve himself near the railway track while the other, identified as Sonu, was sleeping a few feet away from the spot where the other were sleeping.
Sonu said, "I woke up as there was a loud crashing sound, and saw crushed bodies soaked in blood on the pavement."
Another eyewitness, Surender, a ragpicker who was heading home with his friend Kale in their rickshaw, said, "The truck was speeding and climbed onto the pavement at the curve. Heads of two victims got separated from their bodies."