Bhopal, April 11 (IANS) A newly married couple was among four persons killed after a truck overturned onto a stationary auto‑rickshaw in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday afternoon, police said.

The incident occurred around 12 p.m. near Tongra village on Tongra Road, under the jurisdiction of Sirsod police station.

A heavily loaded truck carrying poultry feed suddenly lost control and overturned directly onto a stationary auto-rickshaw parked near a petrol pump. The impact was so severe that four people died on the spot, while others sustained injuries, police officials said.

The victims included 25-year-old groom Virendra Shakya, a resident of Rajgarh village in the Tendua police station area, and his newlywed bride Rajeshwari Shakya, who belonged to Sanjay Colony in Shivpuri.

The couple had married on Friday in a simple temple ceremony attended by close family members.

On Saturday, they were returning to the groom’s village along with other relatives in the auto-rickshaw. Also travelling with them were the groom’s mother, Anvesh Shakya (50), his sister-in-law Rajo Shakya (22), and his sister Bhuriya Shakya (19).

The driver had halted the auto-rickshaw near the petrol pump, and he, along with one passenger, had stepped out to a nearby shop when the tragedy struck. The truck overturned with full force, completely burying the auto-rickshaw beneath it.

The area echoed with cries of distress and panic as locals rushed to the spot.

Police and district administration teams reached the spot promptly and used an earthmoving machine to lift the overturned truck and rescue the trapped victims from the mangled auto-rickshaw.

The injured persons have been admitted to a nearby hospital where they are receiving treatment.

Preliminary investigation by the police suggests that the truck went out of control, possibly due to mechanical failure or driver error, though a further probe is underway.

A case has been registered, and efforts are being made to ascertain the exact cause.

–IANS

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