Post by gigteam on Aug 27, 2007 9:24:29 GMT
Truck mows down 6 Indian-Canadians
Toronto, August 26
An Indian-Canadian family is mourning the deaths of six family members and friends killed by a pickup truck which ploughed through a crowd of revellers after a pre-wedding celebration.
More than 30 women and children were walking down the two-lane road late Friday when they were struck from behind by a pickup truck in southwestern British Columbia.Three men and three women, ranging in age from 14 to the mid-50s, died at the scene and 17 others were injured.
The youngest victims are a four-month old baby and a seven-month old baby, who is in critical condition.
Most of the victims, who had come to attend the wedding of Avtar Mahal's daughter, Simran, were related, Abbotsford police said.
The group was participating in a traditional Indian wedding ritual called 'Jaago' and female members of the bride's family were walking together from the house of a close family friend to the bride's residence.
The driver, a 71-year-old Indian-Canadian man, also lives in the area, neighbours said. The driver was questioned and released without charges.
Investigators have ruled out alcohol and drugs and said speed also doesn't look like a factor. Police said the driver was suffering from shock, the Vancouver Sun reported.
Guests had flown in from California, Alberta and India.
Fourteen ambulances, two helicopters and numerous off-duty officers were called to the crash location. — PTI
Copyright The Tribune, Chandigarh, India see
www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070827/world.htm#3
Toronto, August 26
An Indian-Canadian family is mourning the deaths of six family members and friends killed by a pickup truck which ploughed through a crowd of revellers after a pre-wedding celebration.
More than 30 women and children were walking down the two-lane road late Friday when they were struck from behind by a pickup truck in southwestern British Columbia.Three men and three women, ranging in age from 14 to the mid-50s, died at the scene and 17 others were injured.
The youngest victims are a four-month old baby and a seven-month old baby, who is in critical condition.
Most of the victims, who had come to attend the wedding of Avtar Mahal's daughter, Simran, were related, Abbotsford police said.
The group was participating in a traditional Indian wedding ritual called 'Jaago' and female members of the bride's family were walking together from the house of a close family friend to the bride's residence.
The driver, a 71-year-old Indian-Canadian man, also lives in the area, neighbours said. The driver was questioned and released without charges.
Investigators have ruled out alcohol and drugs and said speed also doesn't look like a factor. Police said the driver was suffering from shock, the Vancouver Sun reported.
Guests had flown in from California, Alberta and India.
Fourteen ambulances, two helicopters and numerous off-duty officers were called to the crash location. — PTI
Copyright The Tribune, Chandigarh, India see
www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070827/world.htm#3
