Surat : Four critical, 15 injured as pickup truck overturns

SURAT : A routine journey to work turned into a nightmare late Friday night when an overloaded Bolero pickup carrying around 15 to 20 workers overturned in Surat district’s Palsana area, leaving about 15 people injured. Four victims suffered serious injuries and were admitted to Surat New Civil Hospital, while the driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash.

The accident occurred around 9pm on August 14. According to preliminary information, the workers were travelling from the Palsana area for work when the vehicle suddenly went out of control and overturned on the road.

The crash triggered panic among the passengers. Local residents rushed to the spot and helped evacuate the injured before they were taken to the New Civil Hospital for treatment.

Sunena Devi, one of the passengers, described the terrifying moments.“We used to go out for work in this vehicle every night, but someone else was driving that night. I don’t know whether he was drunk or not. The vehicle hit twice before overturning. I also suffered a head injury,” she said.

Devi added that around four to five women were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

The incident has also raised concerns over the alleged overloading of the pickup, with more workers reportedly travelling in the vehicle than its permitted capacity. Police are investigating whether reckless driving, overloading or other violations contributed to the crash.

Following the accident, Palsana police reached the hospital and recorded statements from the injured workers. A case has been registered against the driver, who allegedly escaped before police arrived.

Police have launched a search to trace the absconding driver and determine the circumstances that led to the vehicle losing control. Investigators are also expected to examine the vehicle’s condition and establish whether safety norms were violated.

The injured workers remain under medical observation, with four requiring hospitalisation due to the severity of their injuries.