Five women and three minors died as vehicles dropped from Damo bridge in Madhya Pradesh

Five women, two girls and a boy were killed in a running vehicle (SUV) on Tuesday, where they were driving and fell off a bridge in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh, a police officer said.

Nohata Police Department Supervisor Arvind Singh told Hindu The incident occurred at 9.45 a.m. near Mahadev Ghat in Rond Village, and all the victims belonged to a family. Singh said the SUV had about 12-13 passengers at the time of the accident.

“Some injured are being treated in regional hospitals, while one or two seriously injured are referred to Jabbarpur Medical College through the green corridor,” he said.

Mr Singh said the family praised from Jabalpur district and went to a local rehabilitation centre in the village of Ghat Pipariya in Damo.

“On the way back they visited a temple and then returned to Jabalpur. But when they reached the bridge, the car fell from the entrance point on the bridge to the dry riverbed,” he said, adding that locals reminded the police when they saw the car.

“Before the bridge where the accident occurred, there was a sharp turn right, and it seemed that the car was in speed and out of control, otherwise it might prevent it from falling short concrete pillars before the bridge railings.”

Mr Singh also said people in nearby villages were upset by the incident and accused the lack of railings in front of the bridge.

“The bridge has railings, but the elevated side of both sides also has specific pillars from the road section, even if it’s steep. Regional collectors have visited the site and guaranteed people,” he said.

Mr Singh said that while six victims died on the spot, two surrendered at the regional hospital.

He said the bodies had been sent for autopsy and the case will be registered after a preliminary investigation.

“The driver was not affected in any way [of alcohol, etc.] Currently receiving treatment in Jabalpur. But we will understand why he was driving a car with so many passengers. Singh said, adding that another vehicle with other family members was ahead of the badly lucky SUV.