Kurukshetra, Sep 24: Six devotees were killed and over 15 others sustained injuries after a tractor-trolley carrying a group of pilgrims overturned near Pindarsi village in Kurukshetra district on Thursday, police said.
Accident and immediate response
The pilgrims, a party of about 30 people, were travelling from Kalal Majra to the Gogamedi Temple in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district when the mishap occurred, police said. Eyewitnesses and some of the pilgrims told authorities that the tractor-trolley overturned after being struck by another trolley that was loaded with timber. A few witnesses also said a truck may have been involved.
Local residents and bystanders rushed to the scene to help. They lifted the overturned vehicle and freed people trapped beneath it before police and medical teams evacuated the injured to hospitals in Kurukshetra.
"The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations," said Station House Officer Jagdish Tamas of Kurukshetra's Adarsh police station.
Victims and injuries
Police identified the deceased as Leela Devi (58), Bala Devi (50), Bohati Devi (60), Anjali (25), Anjali's 18-month-old daughter, and Harsh (7). Two women among the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
According to official accounts, the bodies of Anjali and her daughter were taken to the Baran Community Health Centre, while the other deceased were moved to the mortuary at LNJP Hospital for further procedures.
| Victim | Age | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Leela Devi | 58 | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
| Bala Devi | 50 | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
| Bohati Devi | 60 | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
| Anjali | 25 | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
| Anjali's daughter | 18 months | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
| Harsh | 7 | Gogamedi Temple (Hanumangarh) |
Police investigation and next steps
Police have registered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the overturning. Statements are being recorded from survivors and eyewitnesses, and the vehicles reportedly involved are being examined. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations, the results of which will be used to determine the formal cause of death and inform further legal action.
Station House Officer Jagdish Tamas said injured persons were taken to two hospitals in Kurukshetra for treatment. No official confirmation was immediately available on the names or condition of those critically injured beyond the information that two women were in a serious condition.
Local context and safety concerns
The incident highlights recurring concerns about the safety of overloaded and improvised passenger-carrying vehicles in rural areas. Tractor-trolleys are commonly used for group travel during religious visits and local events, but they lack regulated seating, safety belts and crash-protection features. Collisions with other heavy vehicles, sudden manoeuvres or uneven roads can easily cause such improvised conveyances to overturn.
Local authorities frequently urge organisers and community leaders to use proper passenger transport—such as buses or authorised transport services—especially for long inter-state journeys. However, economic constraints and lack of availability often lead groups to rely on tractor-trolleys for pilgrimages and village functions.
What authorities advise
- Use authorised passenger transport for long trips; avoid improvised conveyances for groups.
- Avoid overloading vehicles and ensure passengers are seated securely.
- Drivers should maintain safe speeds, be vigilant for other slow-moving farm traffic, and avoid risky overtaking on rural stretches.
Police said the probe will seek to establish whether negligence, overloading, speed, or the actions of other vehicles at the scene led to the fatal overturning. Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
Meanwhile, mourning and shock spread in the families and communities of the victims as officials complete formalities and hospitals continue to treat the injured.
