Noida, June 29 -- An elephant was killed while another was injured when a speeding truck hit them from behind near Mahamaya Flyover at Noida-Delhi border at 5:30am on Friday.
The accident caused heavy traffic jams as Noida police failed to remove the dead and the injured elephants. There is no mechanism with Noida police for removal of such animals. Even the truck remained stranded in the middle of the road.
According to the police, both the elephants were returning - after being displayed in a wedding ceremony - from Greater Noida along with their mahawats. Eyewitnesses said the truck driver "looked to be indulging in rash driving and hr ignored the elephants and hit them from behind."
Parts of both elephants came under the wheels. The mahawats were also injured and were taken to the district hospital in Noida for treatment.
Police immediately called a veterinary doctor who declared one of the elephants dead. A team of doctors has been formed to monitor the injured elephant. According to the doctors the injured elephant could not move as one of its legs came under the wheels of the truck.
The truck driver fled from the spot leaving the truck behind. Police have begun a manhunt to arrest him.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.