Jaipur, July 8 (IANS) Amid a growing number of road accidents on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, another tragic crash occurred early Wednesday morning on the day when Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to inspect the expressway, accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The accident took place near the Jalimpura interchange in the Sultanpur police station area when a speeding dumper truck rammed into the rear of a stationary tourist minibus.

A passenger was killed on the spot, while more than half a dozen others sustained injuries. Four of the injured were referred to Kota in critical condition.

According to officials, the tourist minibus was carrying around 30 passengers who were returning to Delhi after visiting the Mahakal temple in Ujjain.

Preliminary reports suggest the passengers were employees of the Delhi Jal Board. One of the injured passengers said the mini-bus had stopped near the Jalimpura interchange when the speeding dumper crashed into it from behind. The impact was so severe that panic broke out among the passengers, with screams for help filling the scene. Local residents and bystanders rushed to assist, rescuing the injured from the bus and helping shift them into ambulances.

The deceased was identified as 50-year-old Charan Singh, who died on the spot. The injured include Kalpana, wife of Amar Singh Bhandari (Delhi); Guddi, wife of Mahesh Jatav (Delhi); Ombir, son of Nekliram (Baghpat); and Usha, wife of Bhagat Singh (Nainital).

After receiving first aid, all the injured were referred to Kota for further treatment.

Following the incident, personnel from the Sultanpur police station and the toll ambulance service reached the spot and launched rescue operations. Police documented the accident and cleared the damaged vehicles to restore traffic movement on the expressway.

Local residents also played a key role in assisting the victims and ensuring they received prompt medical attention.

The latest accident has once again raised concerns over safety on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

–IANS

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