Seven killed in road mishap in Punjab

Sangrur, Dec 26 (UNI) Seven people were killed and 15 others injured in a head-on collision between a state transport bus and a truck near Sjuma village in the district this morning, police here said.

The dead included the drivers of the bus and truck and five passengers including a woman travelling in the bus. The injured were first admitted to the local civil hospital and later they were referred to the Rajindera hospital, Patiala.

While five died on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries at Patiala, reports here stated.

Six of the deceased were identified as Sukhdev Singh of Bathinda, Ashok Kumar of Rajpura, Father Alex D'Souza and Ms Shobina, both of Sirsa, bus driver Makhan Singh and truck driver Shiv Dayal.

The bus was on its way from Sirsa to Chandigarh, while the truck was going to Bhudlada from Kalka.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has expressed grief over the accident and conveyed his condolences to the grieved families.

He announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the next of kin of the deceased and free medical aid for the injured.

UNI XC HS AD SND1412