A wedding engagement turned tragic in Malakpet on Sunday when three women on their way to the girl’s house were crushed under the wheels of the van they were travelling. According to Malakpet inspector Mr N. Satyana-rayana, the mishap took place when about 30 persons from the would-be groom’s side from Malkajgiri area were on their way to attend the engagement function at Hamal basti near Asmangadh on Sunday afternoon. The prospective groom Rajkumar was also present with them.

The van could not negotiate a steep upward climb near Sham Hotel on the main road to Asmangadh and came to a halt after travelling some distance. Some of the men got down the van and placed boulders under its wheels to prevent it from rolling down the road. Even as some women from the group were getting down from the van, it started rolling down as the boulders could not stop it and in the process hit five women. Anasuya, 50, died on the spot while two others including Yellamma, 75, and Narsamma, 45, died while being treated at a private hospital.

Two others Chandrakala and Kanakalashmi who sustained injuries are being treated. According to police, the vehicle travelled about 80 yards down the road before coming to a halt after ramming into a tea stall injuring two persons there. The van driver is absconding. Police attributed the mishap to the negligence of the van driver.