India: BJP MLA’s son among 7 medical students killed as vehicle plunges into river
Modi announces Rs200,000 to next of kin of deceased in Maharashtra tragedy
Nagpur: In a road tragedy, at least seven medical students were killed when their SUV lost control and plunged off a bridge into a river.
The accident happened late on Monday, officials said.
According to police, the accident took place on a river bridge near Selsura around 11.30pm when they were travelling from Deoli to Wardha.
At one stretch on the bridge, the vehicle driver lost control and the SUV broke the barriers to crash into the river below.
Among the 7 victims — all studying in the Savangi Medical College, Wardha — is Avishkar, a first year MBBS sutdent and the son of Tirora BJP MLA Vijay Rahangdale, said the police.
The other victims are final year MBBS students Pratyush Singh, Shubham Jaiswal, Neeraj Chauhan and Vivek Nandan, Pawan Shakti doing his first year MBBS and a medical intern Nilesh Singh.
The SUV was taken out of the river by a rescue team early today, and further probe is underway by the Wardha Police.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs200,000 will be given from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each of the seven medical students and Rs50,000 will be given for those injured in the mishap.
“PM Narendra Modi announced that Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the accident near Selsura. Those who are injured would be given Rs 50,000,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
The Prime Minister condoled the loss of lives in the road accident and also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident near Selsura in Maharashtra. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured are able to recover soon,” PMO tweeted quoting PM Modi.