Key Points
- A van carrying 13 devotees crashed into a well after hitting a bike in Kachariya Chowpatty, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.
- 11 people, including the biker and a local rescuer, lost their lives; four survivors, including two children, are hospitalized.
- The van was en route from Unhel (Ujjain) to Antri Mata Temple in Neemuch.
- Toxic gas from the LPG-powered van hampered rescue operations and caused suffocation deaths.
- Massive rescue operation led by police, NDRF, and local administration; Deputy CM Jagdish Devda supervised at the scene.
Mandsour: A devastating accident rocked Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday when a van carrying 13 devotees veered off the road, collided with a motorcycle, and plunged into a water-filled well at Kachariya Chowpatty near Narayangarh. The incident resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including the biker and a local hero who sacrificed his life trying to save others.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The van, filled with families from Unhel in Ujjain district, was traveling to the revered Antri Mata Temple in Neemuch. Around midday, the speeding vehicle struck a motorcycle, causing the biker-identified as Gobarsingh Chauhan of Abakhedi village-to fall. The van then lost control and plunged into a 15-foot-deep open well, which lacked any protective boundary.
Inside the well, the situation turned dire. The LPG-powered van began leaking gas, filling the confined space with toxic fumes. Passengers trapped inside struggled to breathe, and the risk of asphyxiation grew rapidly.
Rescue Efforts and a Local Hero’s Sacrifice
Hearing the cries for help, local resident Manohar Singh (40) from Sanjit village bravely jumped into the well to rescue the trapped victims. Tragically, he succumbed to the poisonous gas and died alongside those he tried to save.
Emergency services, including police, SDM, SDOP, and a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), rushed to the scene. With the help of cranes and oxygen cylinders, they managed to pull out four survivors-a woman and two children among them-who were immediately hospitalized in critical condition.
Victims Identified
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the deceased, who hailed from Ratlam, Ujjain, and Mandsaur districts. Among the dead are:
- Manohar Singh (rescuer, Sanjit, Mandsaur)
- Gobarsingh Chauhan (biker, Abakhedi, Mandsaur)
- Kanhaiyalal Kir (Jogipipliya, Ratlam)
- Nagu Singh (Jogipipliya, Ratlam)
- Pawan Kir (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
- Dharmendra Singh (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
- Asha Bai (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
- Madhu Bai (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
- Mangu Bai (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
- Ram Kunwar (Khojankheda, Ratlam)
The survivors include Maya Keer (26), a three-year-old girl, a twelve-year-old boy, and Mukesh (27), all receiving treatment at the district hospital.
Official Response and Investigation
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, who visited the site, directed officials to expedite rescue and provide every possible assistance to the affected families. He expressed deep condolences and emphasized the need for road safety and preventive measures.
Preliminary investigations suggest the van driver lost control after the collision, leading to the fatal plunge. The absence of a boundary wall around the well and the presence of hazardous gas exacerbated the tragedy.
Community in Mourning
The accident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with villagers mourning the loss of loved ones and hailing Manohar Singh as a hero whose selfless act will not be forgotten.
