A collision between a mini-bus and a vehicle carrying labourers on the Amritsar-Mehta road late Wednesday night resulted in the death of nine and left nine others injured, with some sources citing a higher number of injured.
The vehicle, a ‘gharooka’, that was carrying the labourers is a popular mode of transport in Punjab but is notorious for carrying more than its capacity.
While four people died on the spot, five passed away on the way
to hospital. Those injured were taken to Sri Guru Ram Dass Institute of
Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar.
Manjit Singh Manna, the driver is absconding and police is on the lookout for him.
Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Jasdeep Singh, visited the injured at the hospital after a site check. Police said that there were 24 people on-board the gharooka.
Meanwhile, a furious mob torched the bus after the accident before police could arrive at the spot.