Sixteen people were killed and more than 50 injured when a truck carrying churchgoers overturned after ramming into a concrete railing at Nongspung village in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district early Sunday, police said.
The truck was carrying more than 70 people from three villages to a local church when it came to grief about 11 km from Nongstoin and 70 km from state capital Shillong. While 12 persons died on the spot, five more persons died later in the afternoon. The youngest victim was a 13-year old girl, reports The Indian Express.
“The survivors have told us that the truck driver was rash and lost control of the vehicle. After it overturned, many people fell into the deep gorge in this hilly region,” district police Superintendent Sylvester Nongtnger told AFP by phone.
“We rescued everyone from the accident spot and rushed them to hospital but many of the survivors have serious injuries.”
People on board the truck belonged to Nginiong, Nongbudon and Mawbyrkong villages and were on their way to the Nonglang Synod of Presbyterian church when the accident occurred around 8.25 am, added Nongtnger.
(With inputs from AFP and PTI)