Four orchestra members die in Saran accident

Patna: Four members of an orchestra team died, while over six others were injured, after a speeding truck ran over them in Saran district early Wednesday morning, police said.All artists were travelling in a van after performing at a wedding ceremony in Bhagwan Bazar, Chhapra. Those sitting in the rear of the van fell on NH-19 Hajipur-Ghazipur Road near P N Singh College when the vehicle hit a speed breaker. A speeding truck coming from Chhapra ran over them as soon as they fell, police said.The truck fled after the accident and police are trying to identify the vehicle from its registration number.The artists worked for an orchestra firm in Narhi village of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh (UP).Police said the four who died were residents of Uttar Pradesh and their families have been informed. The deceased were identified as Avdhesh Gwal (32) from Hardoi district in UP; Soni Devi (28), wife of Sunil Yadav of Hardoi; Rahul Kumar (20) of Ballia; and Preeti Devi (25), wife of Manoj Kumar from Unnao district in UP.The injured were identified as Dilip Kumar Ram (30) of Ballia; Shivam Yadav (4), son of Sunil Yadav from Hardoi; Shyamveer (40) from Etah district; Sangeeta Devi (35), wife of Shyamveer of Etah; Manoj Kumar (36) of Unnao; and Priti Kumari (26), wife of Avdhesh Gwal from Hardoi.Saran SSP Vineet Kumar met the injured at the sadar hospital.Chhapra ASP Ram Pukar Singh said, “The artists came to Chhapra for a programme and the accident occurred while they were returning to UP. The SP directed doctors at the sadar hospital to ensure proper treatment of the injured. Police sent the bodies to the hospital for the postmortem. Seriously injured patients are being referred to the PMCH.”