'Wouldn't You Be In Pain?': Families Cry Foul After Deadly Gwalior Truck Crash
14 devotees killed as a paddy truck crashes into Gwalior's Sheetla Mata Temple. Grieving families question police and hospital delays.
A night of devotion turned into a scene of absolute carnage in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, after an out-of-control truck ploughed into a crowd of devotees gathered near the Sheetla Mata Temple. The horrific Gwalior truck accident has claimed at least 14 lives and left 29 others injured, sparking outrage among grieving families who allege negligence and delays in medical assistance.
A Midnight Nightmare at the Temple
The tragedy unfolded late Saturday night around 1:30 AM. According to Gwalior's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, a truck loaded with paddy was travelling from the Chhinor direction. As the vehicle navigated a steep slope—an area where heavy vehicles are strictly restricted—the driver lost control.
The momentum was so great that the truck smashed through police barricades, barreled down the slope, and tore through the devotees gathered on the road. The vehicle finally came to a halt after crashing into the temple's outer wall and gate. The impact was devastating, with pilgrims being crushed beneath the heavy vehicle.
'If It Were Your Own Child...': A Mother's Agony
As the scale of the loss became clear, the atmosphere at the site turned from grief to anger. The mother of a victim named Divyansh expressed her heartbreak and frustration over how the situation was handled. She revealed that she was only informed of the tragedy at 6:00 AM, long after the crash had occurred.
She recounted how her daughter attempted to find her family members—including her sons and daughter-in-law—but was allegedly blocked by the police. In a poignant plea to the authorities, she asked, "Why wouldn't the police help me find her? Tell me—if it were your own child, wouldn't you be in pain?"
Allegations of Medical Negligence
Beyond the immediate crash, families are now questioning the timeline of the rescue operations. One grieving relative pointed to a critical two-hour gap between the accident and the arrival at the hospital, suggesting that the delay may have been fatal.
"If the accident happened at 2 o’clock, why was he taken to the hospital at 4 o’clock? They should have brought him in at the time," the relative questioned.
The family further alleged that they were kept in the dark about the victim's condition, being told he was receiving treatment when, in reality, he had already passed away. The relative expressed shock that the authorities only approached them to sign paperwork after the death had occurred.
Official Response and Casualties
Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan stated that ambulances and emergency vehicles were dispatched immediately upon receiving news of the crash. She confirmed that 29 people sustained various injuries in the incident.
The chaos didn't spare the first responders either. SSP Dharmveer Singh confirmed that two police personnel who were stationed at the checkpoint were injured when the truck broke through the barricades; they are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The incident has left the local community in shock, as the Sheetla Mata Temple is a significant site for pilgrims, many of whom were simply observing their faith when the paddy-laden truck turned the road into a graveyard.