A tragic accident in Haryana's Karnal district has left one person dead and more than 20 injured after a canter truck carrying pilgrims came into contact with a high-voltage power line. The incident took place on Saturday night when the vehicle was on its way to Gogamedi in Rajasthan.
Canter truck accident in Karnal: What happened
The canter truck was carrying over 50 pilgrims when it struck a high-voltage live wire near the mini bypass in Gharaunda, Karnal. The impact caused burn and other injuries to more than 20 people travelling in the vehicle.
According to The Tribune, the canter had a metal pipe fitted onto an extra frame on top of the vehicle, which touched the overhead high-voltage power line.
Rescuer electrocuted while helping pilgrims
When the pilgrims cried out for help, a local man rushed to assist them. Tragically, he was electrocuted in the process.
"However, he got electrocuted and died in the incident." — Police official via The Tribune
The police official confirmed that the man died on the spot. The injured pilgrims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, as reported by Udayavani.
Police investigation into Haryana power line accident
Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances that led to the accident. The primary cause appears to be the metal pipe on the vehicle's roof making contact with the live wire.
The incident highlights the dangers of modified vehicles carrying extra fittings that can come into contact with overhead power lines. The Press Trust of India reported that the vehicle was carrying pilgrims heading to Gogamedi, a popular pilgrimage destination in Rajasthan.
Our Take: A preventable tragedy on Haryana roads
To put it plainly, this accident was entirely avoidable. The metal pipe fitted on top of the canter truck was a dangerous modification that turned a routine pilgrimage into a disaster. One man lost his life simply because he tried to help others in distress.
This incident raises serious questions about vehicle safety standards, especially for vehicles used to transport large groups of people. Pilgrimage trips often involve crowded vehicles, and when operators add unauthorised fittings, they put every passenger at risk.
Authorities must look into why such modified vehicles are still operating on roads. A simple check of the vehicle's roof fittings could have prevented this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and with the injured pilgrims who are now recovering in hospital.