Six die as truck ploughs into them in Punjab

Six persons, including a woman, were crushed to death today after a truck ploughed into them at the busy portion of NH1 in front of a local bus stand, police said.
The truck driver fled from the scene, leaving behind the vehicle, they said.
Police said that three deceased persons have been identified while other three were yet to be identified.
Those identified include, Lakshman (48), an 'agarbatti' (incense-stick) seller from Ludhiana, Vijay Kumar (45), an autorickshaw driver of local Palahigate and Dharminder (24) of local Adarsh Nagar, police said.
The other three, including two youths possibly aged between 22-24 and a woman, were yet to be identified. They added.

A woman, who was seriously injured in the accident, was referred to Jalandhar in critical condition.

Three motorcycles were also badly mauled in the accident, they said.
While Lakshman was standing on the side of the National Highway 1, the other five were on the three motorcycles.
Police have impounded the truck and registered a case against the absconding driver.
Following the accident which occurred in the afternoon, the local administration canceled the public function which was to be held on the occasion of inaugurating 105-foot-high national flag mast at local PWD rest house.
Although, the flag was hoisted as city's highest landmark that has come up at a cost of Rs 11 lakh.

Punjab Local Bodies minister Anil Joshi, who was among those who had come to attend the function, condoled the demise of the six persons.