The death of three people and serious injury to three others in a family in Gujarat after their SUV rolled over on Bharatmala Expressway near Asotra in Balotra on Sunday afternoon has ignited a public debate about safety standards for trucks on the new super motorway, police officials said.
The family, who were travelling in a Scorpio SUV from Thavar village in Mehsana district and were making their way to Ramdevra Temple to make their prayers at the shrine of Baba Ramdev was in a vehicle, authorities said. The driver, who possibly lost control of the SUV when it was travelling at high speed, was headed toward Asotra when it overturned multiple times, according to police.
The crash wreaked havoc on the motor vehicles and resulted in multiple people being ejected onto the ground next to the cars. The local population quickened to the scene after the incident and notified the police of it.
The deceased were identified as Ajmal (35-year-old) and his brother Namoolam and a Hitesh Bhai, who were aged 32. Three others including a small child had sustained serious injury and admitted in district hospital at Balotra for treatment.
Soon after receiving information, a police team of Jasol police station reached the spot and rescued the victim with the help of local folks. The injured was rushed to hospital and dead bodies were taken for post mortem examination and their bodies were kept in the mortuary.
The families of those who died have been notified and further investigation into the crash is ongoing, police said. Preliminary findings suggest overspeeding may have caused the crash.