Ujjain: Five persons were killed and three sustained severe injuries in a head-on collision between a van and a truck in Ghatia area of Ujjain district in early hours of Thursday.The deceased were of same family based in Ghatia tehsil and were returning home from a marriage function in Unhel.The collision caused the truck, carrying peas, to catch fire and the van was severely damaged. The smaller vehicle was dragged by the truck for around 20 metres. Police, with help of locals, used earth moving machines and hydraulic cutters to get the bodies out of the mangled metal.The deceased were identified as Balaram Verma, 60, resident of Jeliyakhedi, Janibai, 62, Madhubai, 35, Shobhabai, 28 and Gudiya, 5, all residents of Ghatia.The injured - Suresh, 35, Dheeraj, 17 and Guddibai, 55 - were rushed to Ujjain district hospital and are undergoing treatment. Their condition is said to be critical.The incident took place just a kilometre away from the family’s residence. One of the injured Suresh, who was driving the vehicle, had borrowed the van to take his family to the marriage function. As the incident took place, truck driver fled, leaving the vehicle. Ghatia police registered a case against the truck driver and are yet to identify the accused.

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