Speeding SUV Strikes Pilgrims in Himatnagar, One Dead and Eleven Injured

Himatnagar, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Himatnagar, a town in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, when a speeding SUV collided with a group of pedestrians. The accident took place on a four-lane highway near the Dolgarh-Patia intersection, where pilgrims were walking towards the Ambaji Temple. One pilgrim lost their life, and eleven others sustained injuries.Following the crash, local residents expressed their anger by setting the vehicle ablaze. Police reported that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one succumbed to their injuries. The driver, identified as Bharat Patel, was reportedly heading back to his village at the time of the incident. According to Dr. Parthraj Singh Gohil, the Superintendent of Police in Sabarkantha, approximately twelve individuals were injured, and the driver has been taken into custody.An FIR is being filed against him as the investigation continues. Initial reports suggest that the vehicle was traveling at a high speed. Gohil emphasized that authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the accident. After the collision, the driver allegedly attempted to flee but was apprehended by an enraged crowd. Footage from the scene showed locals surrounding the SUV, striking its hood and windows with sticks before setting it on fire. The vehicle was engulfed in flames, creating a thick plume of smoke visible from the highway.In response to the escalating situation, police teams were deployed to manage the crowd and conduct further investigations. Authorities from nearby districts were also called in due to the large gathering. Witnesses claimed that the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, as a video allegedly showed empty bottles inside the vehicle. However, police have yet to confirm these claims, and the investigation is ongoing.