Seven killed as van gets crushed between two trucks

Surat: Seven persons were killed when the van they were travelling in was crushed between two trucks at Kumbhghat in Kaprada taluka of Valsad district on Friday.Six of the deceased were residents of Amba Jangal village, while one hailed from Piproti in Kaprada.According to preliminary information, the victims were travelling in a Maruti Eeco van from Amba Jangal to Nana Pondha when a speeding truck rammed into their vehicle from behind. The impact pushed the van forward, wedging it between the truck and another truck that was stationary on the roadside, crushing it completely.Five persons died on the spot, while two succumbed to their injuries during treatment at a hospital. The deceased were identified as Kishan Gangoda (62), Vinod Raut (32), Ganesh Misal (34), Naresh Pawar (34), Shivram Mangi (34), Ramila Mangi (31), all residents of Amba Jangal, and Dipvanti Sankara (17) of Piproti. The victims included two women and five men.The accident occurred on a stretch where road repair work is underway. Locals said several accidents have taken place at the same spot earlier, raising concerns over safety measures during the ongoing construction.The bodies were shifted to a hospital for post-mortem. Grief and shock gripped Amba Jangal as a large number of villagers gathered outside the post-mortem room, mourning the loss of seven residents in a single tragedy.Police have booked truck driver Nagraj Mahadev Katimani and cleaner Manikanta Elappa Katki for alleged rash driving. During preliminary questioning, the driver claimed brake failure led to the accident. The driver sustained minor injuries, while the cleaner suffered multiple injuries. Both are undergoing treatment.