A woman labourer died and several other workers were injured in a road accident on National Highway-48 in Rajasthan's Dungarpur district on Friday after a tomato-laden pickup vehicle collided with a tempo carrying labourers from behind.
The accident occurred near Goga Morh when the pickup, travelling from Ahmedabad towards Udaipur, struck the tempo from the rear. According to eyewitnesses, the impact caused both vehicles to overturn on the highway, disrupting traffic for some time.
Local residents reached the scene immediately after the accident and helped rescue the injured passengers from the overturned vehicles. They provided initial assistance before informing the police and ambulance services, following which rescue operations were initiated.
The injured were taken to Bichhiwara Hospital in Dungarpur for treatment. During treatment, Rangila, wife of Rajendra Bhagora and a resident of Dhamod, succumbed to her injuries despite efforts by doctors to save her. Treatment of the other injured labourers is continuing. Some are reported to be in stable condition, while those with serious injuries remain under close medical observation.
The collision caused tomatoes loaded in the pickup vehicle to spill across the highway, affecting traffic movement. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. Police and local authorities removed the damaged vehicles and cleared the scattered produce from the road, after which traffic was gradually restored.
Bichhiwara police reached the accident site after receiving information about the incident and assisted in the rescue operation. The woman's body was sent for post-mortem examination and was later handed over to her family after completion of legal formalities.
Police said a case has been registered and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. Preliminary findings indicate that excessive speed and the rear-end collision may have been the primary factors behind the accident. Police said the final conclusion will be determined after the detailed investigation is completed.
The administration has appealed to motorists to follow speed limits, maintain a safe distance between vehicles and comply with traffic regulations while travelling on national highways. Authorities said the investigation is continuing and the condition of the injured is being monitored.
