New Delhi, Nov 12 Just a few steps away from his home in northeast Delhi’s Chauhan Patti, 32-year-old Satbir was killed when a speeding dumper truck rammed into the autorickshaw carrying him and his family early Thursday, turning what was a happy return from Diwali celebrations into a tragedy.
Satbir was returning from Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj with his wife Moni (26) and their six-month-old daughter Kanika when the autorickshaw was hit by the dumper near Pushta No. 5 in Sonia Vihar around 5 am.
Satbir, who worked on a packaging machine at a factory in Tronica City, died in the collision. His wife and infant daughter were among the six people injured in the accident and are undergoing treatment at hospitals.
The family was returning after celebrating Diwali when the accident occurred barely a few steps from their residence.
In another heartbreaking loss, a couple travelling in the same autorickshaw lost their unborn child.
Raja (32) and his wife Rakhi (26), originally from Bhupkheri in Ghaziabad and currently residing in Chauhan Patti, were travelling to Delhi for a medical check-up and consultations related to her delivery, family members said.
Rakhi was six months pregnant when the dumper rammed into the autorickshaw. She suffered serious injuries in the collision and subsequently lost her unborn child.
The couple, who also have a one-year-old son, were among the eight occupants of the autorickshaw.
The accident left two men, including an identified man, dead and six others injured. A six-month-old girl was also injured in the accident.
The impact of the collision was so severe that the autorickshaw was left mangled, while the dumper driver fled the spot.
Police said the injured were initially rushed to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, with several of them subsequently referred to GTB Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.
A forensic team inspected the accident site, while police are examining CCTV footage and questioning local residents to establish the circumstances leading to the collision.
Local residents alleged that dumper drivers frequently drive on the wrong side of Pushta Road, raising concerns over road safety in the area.
Pankaj, a local, alleged that illegal autos and other commercial vehicles were operating openly in the area despite lacking valid documents, fitness certificates, permits and other mandatory requirements.
“Such accidents have happened earlier as well. The traffic police officers are responsible for allowing these vehicles to operate,” Pankaj alleged.
The police have registered a case and launched a search to trace the absconding driver.
(PTI News)
