An SUV allegedly entered a pilgrim corridor on the Himmatnagar–Ambaji state highway on Monday evening, killing a roadside tea stall owner and injuring several others before an angry crowd set the vehicle ablaze, police said.
Incident and casualties
The collision occurred at about 6:30 pm near Dolgadh (also reported as Dolgarh) on the Himmatnagar-Idar/Idar–Ambaji route in Sabarkantha district, officials said. Police identified the deceased as Bharat Vaghela, a man who ran a roadside tea stall serving pilgrims walking to Ambaji.
Two media reports differ on the number of injured: one account said seven pilgrims were seriously hurt after being thrown several feet by the impact, while police told another outlet that 11 people — a mix of pilgrims, local residents and volunteers — were admitted to GMERS Himmatnagar Civil Hospital. Authorities said several of the injured were in critical condition.
“The incident took place at 6:30 pm near Dolgadh outside Himmatnagar. As many as 11 persons, including pilgrims and local residents and volunteers, were injured and have been admitted to GMERS Himmatnagar Civil Hospital,” Sabarkantha SP Parthrajsinh Gohil said.
How the crowd reacted and immediate police action
Eyewitnesses reported panic at the scene after the SUV struck pedestrians who were using the section of road designated for walkers. Several people said the impact hurled the victims several feet from the point of collision.
- Local residents and pilgrims reportedly intercepted and manhandled the driver before setting the SUV on fire.
- Police and rescue teams reached the spot to douse the flames and provide first aid; injured persons were transported to Himmatnagar Civil Hospital for treatment.
- The driver of the SUV was detained and is being interrogated, police said.
Context: pilgrimage route and traffic arrangements
The stretch of highway where the crash occurred is part of a well-used route to Ambaji, a major temple town that draws devotees on foot, especially during fairs. Media reports noted that the Bhadarvi Poonam fair (20–26 September) was under way, and authorities had reportedly implemented one-way and pedestrian-only arrangements on sections of the Himmatnagar–Kheroj/Ambaji corridor to protect those walking to the temple.
According to one report, one side of the road had been reserved exclusively for pedestrians while vehicles were permitted on the other side. The circumstances in which the SUV allegedly entered the pedestrian corridor are under investigation.
Investigation under way
Sabarkantha police said further enquiries are ongoing to determine whether the driver lost control, carried out a U-turn and accelerated towards the crowd, or whether some other factor led to the vehicle entering the pedestrian path. Local police statements indicate the driver is a resident of the area and is being questioned about the sequence of events.
Authorities will also examine whether traffic management and crowd-control measures along the pilgrim route were adequate given the fair. No formal charge sheet has been made public yet; investigations remain active.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Dolgadh/Dolgadh, near Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha district |
| Time | About 6:30 pm (local) |
| Fatalities | 1 (identified as Bharat Vaghela) |
| Injuries | Reports cite 7 seriously injured; police report 11 admitted |
| Suspect | SUV driver detained and under interrogation |
Local impact and next steps
The episode has raised immediate concerns about pilgrim safety, traffic routing and enforcement on busy temple corridors during fairs. With large numbers of devotees travelling on foot to Ambaji for the Bhadarvi Poonam fair, local administrations typically announce temporary traffic diversions and pedestrian-only stretches; investigators will review whether such measures were in place and properly enforced at the time of the crash.
Police said they have seized the vehicle after it was brought under control and recorded witness statements. Hospital sources confirmed treatment of the injured at GMERS Himmatnagar Civil Hospital; officials have not released names beyond the deceased.
Further developments, including any formal charges against the detained driver and a police FIR, are expected as the investigation progresses.
Reporting: Kiran Patel, Gujarat correspondent.
