In a devastating incident on Wednesday morning, a bus collided with a cement-laden truck amid thick fog in the Mukerian subdivision of Hoshiarpur district, resulting in the loss of three police personnel lives and leaving 13 others injured, as confirmed by the police.
The ill-fated bus, carrying 30 policemen, was en route from the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar to Gurdaspur when the collision occurred around 7 am near Emma Mangat in Mukerian, situated 54 km from Hoshiarpur.
The deceased have been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Hardev Singh, Senior Constable Gurpreet Singh (who was also the bus driver), and Woman Constable Shalu Rana. The bodies have been moved to the mortuary of the Mukerian Civil Hospital.
Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba, who inspected the accident site, expressed sorrow over the tragic incident. The injured, numbering 13, were promptly admitted to civil hospitals in Dasuya and Mukerian for medical attention.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann conveyed his condolences for the loss of three Punjab Police personnel and announced a grant of 2 crore for each victim’s family. Out of this,1 crore will be provided as ex gratia, with the remaining amount covered by insurance.
In a tweet, Mann stated, “Punjab Police is our honour, and we stand with the families of our bravehearts.” The accident highlights the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, emphasizing the need for heightened caution on the roads during foggy conditions.
On the hand in a similar incident, a one-year-old toddler lost her life when a car collided with a migrant family sleeping under a flyover on the Bathinda-Patiala national highway early Wednesday morning. The victims, who were part of a family engaged in selling balloons near the local Rose Garden, were caught in the unfortunate accident that unfolded amid dense fog.
The deceased has been identified as one-year-old Nandini, while her 25-year-old mother, Shivani, and maternal grandmother, Meera, aged 75, sustained injuries in the collision. Swiftly responding to the emergency, a voluntary organization rushed the injured to Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital.
According to Parminder Singh, the Station House Officer of Thermal police station, poor visibility due to dense fog played a crucial role in the mishap. The car, driven by an individual hailing from Gurdaspur, struck the family as the driver was reportedly unfamiliar with the city’s roads. The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, who was returning after paying obeisance at Talwandi Sabo, was not under the influence of alcohol.
“The driver is currently in police custody, and further action will be taken based on statements provided by the affected persons. The incident occurred near the local Rose Garden, where the family had sought refuge on the pavement under the flyover,” stated SHO Parminder Singh. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions and the importance of vigilance on the roads.