Death toll rises to 3 in Indore truck rampage

Indore, Sep 16 (PTI) The death toll in the incident of a truck crushing several pedestrians on a busy road in Indore has gone up to three, with one more person succumbing to injuries on Tuesday, police said.

The incident took place on Monday night when the out-of-control truck ran over pedestrians on Aerodrome Road in Indore, rammed into some vehicles, and caught fire.

Two persons died on the spot while more than 10 others were injured, the police said, adding the truck driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

Mahesh Khatwase (54), who was seriously injured in the incident, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital, Additional Commissioner of Police Amit Singh told PTI.

The two persons who died on the spot have been identified as Laxmikant Soni (50) and Kailashchandra Joshi (62), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani said.

The truck driver, Gulsher (50), hailing from Dhar district, has been arrested. The investigation suggested he was heavily drunk at the time of the incident, the official said.

"We are questioning the accused in detail," the DCP said.

Out of the 11 persons injured in the incident, the condition of two was critical, he said.

There was deep anger among locals over the incident.

Crowds gathered at the site after the accident and at hospitals and raised slogans against the police and administration.

Heavy commercial vehicles are not allowed on the busy road in the Aerodrome area where the incident took place, and in such a situation, how could the truck enter the area in the presence of traffic police personnel deployed at the intersections? some locals asked.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed grief over the incident and ordered an inquiry into how heavy vehicles were entering the city before 11 pm, officials said.

As per the CM's instructions, the home department's additional chief secretary will investigate the matter, they added. PTI HWP MAS GK