Indore (MP): As many as five people were killed in a freak road accident involving a crane in the Banganga area of Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Tuesday. The incident occurred when the crane, bearing number HR-38-2002, was passing through the Banganga area.
The crane was descending from a bridge in the area when suddenly its brakes failed and it mowed down two motorcyclists in front of it. Five people on the two bikes were crushed to death. The crane hit a bus as well before coming to a halt. Upon receiving information about the accident, the police rushed to the spot and began their investigation. The crane driver fled from the scene after the incident. The police are currently trying to identify the deceased and are working towards confirming the official death toll.
Rajan Soni Police Station In-charge Banganga told the media that they are ascertaining the exact cause of the accident. "The crane was descending from the bridge when it crushed the two bikers ahead of it. We are ascertaining whether it was a brake failure or any other reason. We are probing the incidents and taking witness accounts. While five have died in the incident, a woman has also been injured. She has been shifted to the hospital," he said.
The incident has raised several questions about how the crane was able to pass through such a congested area during the day. The police are currently probing all aspects of the incident to determine the cause of the accident. The incident left the public in shock and sparked anger towards the crane driver. An FIR has been filed against the driver under 304A and other relevant sections.
The police also had to disperse an angry crowd that gathered around the crane after the incident. The bodies of the deceased have been sent to the hospital for postmortem. The police are actively searching for the crane driver, and once caught, they hope to shed light on the circumstances that led to the tragic accident.
Earlier in the day, two labourers were killed and one seriously injured when a loft on the third floor of an under-construction school building collapsed in state's Betul district. The incident took place in Sonaghati area of Betul in the afternoon, an official said. A loft made for plastering work on the third floor of the building broke causing the labourers to fall, Kotwali police station in-charge Ajay Soni said. While two of the labourers died, one sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, he said, adding that a case has been registered in this regard.
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