Six pilgrims killed in Haryana accident

CHANDIGARH - At least six pilgrims were killed and 10 injured when a bus and a truck crashed into roadside-trees on a highway in Haryana while trying to avoid a collision, police said Saturday.

Police officials said six people died on the spot as the bus crashed into trees along the Ambala-Yamunanagar highway near Mullana town. The victims belonged to Mathura town in Uttar Pradesh and were on their way to Hardwar in Uttarakhand from Hindu shrines in Himachal Pradesh.

The bus driver was among those killed.

The injured were rushed to the civil hospital in Ambala, 45 km from here. Two of those critically injured were referred to the PGIMER in Chandigarh.

The accident took place when the bus and truck, coming from opposite directions, tried to avoid a collision while travelling at high speed. But the drivers of both the vehicles lost control and they crashed into trees.

The truck driver fled from the spot, leaving his vehicle behind.