AT LEAST nine people including three children died and 23 others were injured after a pickup van they were travelling collided with a stationary truck near Kathia village under City Kotwali police station limits on late Sunday night. The injured are undergoing treatment in the district hospital and Simga Community Health Centre. As per police sources, the deceased have been identified as Agniya Sahu (60), wife of Hagru Sahu; Khushbu Sahu (39), wife of Dilip Sahu; Bhuri Nishad (50), Neera Sahu (55), Geeta Sahu (60) besides three children Madhu Sahu (5), daughter of Dilip Sahu; Rikesh Nishad (6) and Twinkle Nishad (6) and Ratna Sahu (50). The injured include Nisha Yadav (12), Malti Yadav (38), Dimple (13), Kavita (40), Sukiya Bai (40), Dukhiya Bai (45), Hemlata Sahu (14), Renuka Sahu (14), Urmila Bai (50), Usha Sahu (42), Premu Sahu (36), Lokesh Sahu (20), Sunita Sahu (50), Poornima Sahu (8), Dipika Sahu (12), Lokpal Sahu (12), Punni Yadav (60), Ahilybai (55), Rameshwari Sahu (28), Sonvati (6) besides two unidentified women aged 50 and 55 years respectively.

 

As per information, a large number of villagers, all from Patharra village, had gone to Tirrayi village to attend a Chhathi programme. It was late at night when they were returning in the pickup vehicle. Near Kathiya village, the pick-up driver lost control over steering, leading the vehicle to collide with a stationary truck. Nine people, including six women and three children, died and 23 people, including eight children, were injured in the late night incident. On information, a team of police personnel reached the spot and admitted injured persons to district hospital and Community Health Centre in Simga. As soon as information about the case was received, Bemetara Collector Ranbir Sharma, SP Ramkrishna Sahu and all the top officials of the district reached the district hospital and issued necessary instructions for treatment of injured persons. Collector said that the deceased and injured belonged to Patharra village and were returning after attending a family programme. All are members of the same family.

 

Durg Range Inspector General of Police Ramgopal Garg visited the spot and enquired about the incident from Superintendent of Police Ramkrishna Sahu. IG met the injured admitted in the hospital and instructed SP for taking necessary steps to prevent any such incidents in future. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the death of 9 people of Patharra village of Bemetara and injury of 23 people in a road accident in Kathiya village near Bemetra-Simga border area. The Chief Minister said that necessary instructions have been given to the district administration for better treatment of the injured. He expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Meanwhile, Durg Parliamentarian Vijay Baghel and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dayaldas Baghel visited village Patharra and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family members.