At least 14 people were killed and three others seriously injured after a truck and a minibus collided near Valthera village in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district on Friday night. Police officials said the deceased, who were travelling in the minibus, belonged to three families from a village near Rajkot and that they were returning home from a pilgrimage, The Indian Express reported.
The officials said the accident took place when the truck driver was plying on the wrong side of the road to avoid traffic, according to The Times of India. “The truck loaded with ceramic tiles hit the smaller vehicle with high impact,” Dholka Circle Police Inspector Smitesh Solanki said. He however, said that they are yet to ascertain what exactly happened. Solanki, who is also the investigating officer in the case, said that the injured were not in a position to make a statement.
The truck driver fled from the scene. The police have registered a case based on a complaint. “Efforts are on to nab the truck driver, who is absconding after the mishap,” Dholka Deputy Superintendent of Police J Parmar told PTI.
The injured have been shifted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma instructed authorities to provide all the necessary treatment and help to the survivors.
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