Two people were injured after a speeding truck was involved in a chain collision involving an auto-rickshaw, a tractor-trailer and a mini truck carrying LPG cylinders on the Pathankot Chowk flyover in Jalandhar on Monday. The accident led to a traffic jam stretching nearly three kilometres, disrupting traffic for several hours.
Multi vehicle collision on flyover
According to preliminary information, the truck first hit an auto-rickshaw before crashing into a tractor-trailer travelling ahead. The impact pushed the tractor-trailer into a camper loaded with LPG cylinders, resulting in a multi-vehicle pile-up on the flyover.
Police and local residents rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident. A crane was used to remove the damaged vehicles from the road, while the injured were shifted to a private hospital for treatment.
Tractor-trailer split into two
The impact of the collision was so severe that the tractor-trailer split into two parts. Those present at the scene said the incident could have turned far more serious if the vehicle struck one of the flyover pillars or fallen off the elevated road. Fortunately, none of the LPG cylinders being transported in the camper exploded despite the collision, preventing what could have been a major disaster.
Driver alleges truck operator was intoxicated
Balbir Singh, the owner of the tractor-trailer, said his driver, identified as Mani, was driving the vehicle when the truck allegedly rammed into the auto-rickshaw before hitting the tractor-trailer from behind. He claimed the truck driver appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the accident. However, police have not officially confirmed the allegation.
People injured
In a conversation with Balbir Singh, it was informed that 8-9 people got injured while one is serious. He allegedly came in between the truck and the trailer. He said it was because of the pillars on the flyover edge because of which the trailer did not fall off the highway.
Police begin investigation
A police official said they received information about the accident on the flyover and immediately reached the spot. The damaged truck was removed with the help of a crane to restore traffic movement.
Police said one of the injured sustained serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital by ambulance, where treatment is underway. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Traffic on the flyover was restored after the damaged vehicles were cleared from the road, though commuters faced long delays due to the congestion caused by the crash.