Truck probably took Google Maps shortcut: Gwalior cops on temple crash that killed 15

A paddy-laden truck allegedly took a shorter route suggested by Google Maps before crashing into devotees near a Madhya Pradesh temple. With 15 dead and 33 injured, investigators are examining how it bypassed security barricades.

In Short

• Driver and truck owner were taken into custody after the crash
• Five to six injured people remain critical with fractures in hospital
• Two police personnel deployed near the temple were also injured

At least 15 people were killed and 33 others injured after an overloaded truck carrying paddy broke through police barricades and ploughed into devotees heading to the Sheetla Mata temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior early Sunday. Police suspect the truck driver may have used Google Maps to find a shorter route, taking the vehicle onto a stretch where heavy vehicles are restricted.

Gwalior CSP Ravi Bhadoria said the truck was coming from Debra Mandi carrying paddy and that its driver and owner had been taken into custody. The vehicle was reportedly travelling along the Chhinor road, which has a steep slope and is not meant for heavy traffic.

“Since these drivers were from outside, they probably checked the location on Google Maps and chose a shorter route and were coming via that. Before the temple, the brakes failed and this accident occurred,” Bhadoria said.

He added that heavy vehicles had never used the route before and that parking arrangements, checkpoints and barricades were in place. Senior officials have ordered an investigation into how the truck entered the restricted stretch.

HOW THE TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE TEMPLE

The accident occurred at around 1.30 am, when the truck, which had been stopped on the road, broke through police barricades and lost control while descending the slope. It then crashed into the outer wall and gate of the Sheetla Mata temple, crushing devotees walking along the road.

Senior police official Dharmveer Singh told ANI that a large number of pilgrims were travelling towards the temple when the truck lost control.

“This is a tragic incident where pilgrims were travelling to Sheetla Mata Temple in large numbers. The road coming from the Chhinor side has a steep slope where heavy traffic is restricted. Around 1.30 am, a truck loaded with paddy was stopped there. It broke through the police barricades, suddenly lost control, came down, and crashed into the outer wall and gate of the temple,” he said.

Singh added that several devotees were crushed under the truck, resulting in multiple casualties. Two police personnel deployed at the spot were also injured.

33 INJURED, SEVERAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION

All the injured were taken to hospitals following the accident. Of the 33 injured people, five to six were in critical condition with fractures, while the others sustained minor injuries and were receiving treatment, according to information provided by the police.

Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan said the administration received information about the accident at around 1.30 am and immediately dispatched ambulances and other vehicles to the scene.

“Today, at around 1.30 am, information was received that a truck coming from the direction of Chhinor towards the temple lost control and veered continuously to the left. Immediately, news of the accident started coming in, and ambulances and other vehicles were dispatched,” she said.

Chauhan said the circumstances that allowed the truck to enter the restricted stretch would be investigated, particularly because barricades and a police checkpoint had been installed for Navratri.

A Regional Transport Office (RTO) team has also been sent to conduct a mechanical inspection of the truck to determine what caused it to veer to the left. Doctors were conducting CT scans and X-rays on the injured to assess their condition and provide appropriate treatment.

EYEWITNESS RECOUNTS HORROR

An eyewitness described scenes of chaos after the truck suddenly entered the area, running over people and shops.

“This occurred at around 1 am. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people,” the eyewitness told ANI.

The witness said his brother was also injured in the accident, adding that confusion and panic continued at the scene.

Investigators are examining how the truck breached the barricades and lost control on the restricted road. The mechanical inspection is expected to help establish whether a vehicle-related problem contributed to the crash.

TENSION AT POST-MORTEM HOUSE, POLICE DEPLOYED

Tension prevailed at the post-mortem house in Gwalior after the bodies of those killed in the accident were brought to the facility.

Relatives of the victims protested, accusing the police and administration of negligence in connection with the crash. As the situation grew tense, a large number of police personnel were deployed to maintain order.

Grieving family members raised questions over the handling of the incident, triggering a dispute at the facility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person killed in the Gwalior accident.

The injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.

- Ends