One killed, 20 hurt as truck hits high-voltage line in Haryana

One person died and 20 others were injured when a canter-truck carrying around 50 devotees touched a high-voltage power line in Karnal, Haryana, on Saturday night. The newindianexpress.com reports the vehicle, fitted with a metal pipe on an extra top frame, hit an 11 KV overhead wire near the mini bypass in Gharaunda. The dead was electrocuted; the injured, including men, women, and children, were admitted to government hospitals in Karnal and Panipat.

A doctor at the Karnal hospital said some patients had arrhythmia, low blood pressure, and body pain. The driver was reportedly new to the route. After the wire struck the truck, the electricity briefly went off, then returned, sending current through the vehicle. Some pilgrims jumped off to save themselves and were injured. One relative said the vehicle caught fire after the wire made contact, burning those sitting with back support.

Police said the injured include several in critical condition. A local resident rushed to help after hearing the pilgrims' cries. The annual pilgrimage to Gogamedi in Rajasthan was underway when the accident occurred.