Three devotees lost their lives, and over 25 others were injured when a speeding truck collided with a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims to the Maa Sharda Devi temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Maihar district. The tragic incident occurred late at night in the Amdara police station area. Among the injured is the Amdara police station in charge Tikaram Kurmi, along with several women and children, many of whom are in critical condition.
The victims, belonging to a “Lodhi community” family from the Rithi area of Katni district, were on a religious pilgrimage with relatives and acquaintances in the tractor-trolley. The group, filled with devotion and excitement, was en route to the revered temple. However, their sacred journey turned into a nightmare near “Surma” within the Amdara police station area around 1.30 a.m. when a speeding truck collided with their trolley, causing it to overturn.
The truck driver, after the initial collision, did not stop but instead attempted to flee the scene. He struck the tractor-trolley two more times in quick succession, intensifying the tragedy. Three devotees lost their lives on the spot, while others sustained serious injuries. Rescue teams and local police promptly responded, shifting the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
The Amdara police have filed a case against the absconding truck driver and initiated a massive manhunt. Efforts are underway to identify the vehicle using CCTV footage and eyewitness statements. Police teams are actively deployed on various routes to locate and apprehend the driver. Local residents and pilgrims have expressed deep sorrow and are advocating for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
