Eight borewell workers from Rajasthan died while seven others were injured when the truck in which they were travelling met with an accident at the National Highway–57 under the Jalalgarh police station in Bihar’s Purnea district on Monday.

The truck was carrying a large number of steel pipes used in digging the borewell and all the men were sitting on them. They were going from Tripura to Kashmir as part of their work.

Purnea sadar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Surendra Kumar Saroj told The Telegraph that the workers specialised in borewell digging and would take up related work across the country.

“It seems the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned. Eight men sitting on the steel pipes came under them and died on the spot while others were thrown away and escaped with minor injuries,” Saroj said.

The accident occurred around 3am and the locals rushed to the rescue of the victims. The police and the district administration officials arrived later and earthmovers were pitched to shift the truck and heavy pipes. The driver and his helper escaped unhurt.

“We have arrested the truck driver,” the SDPO added.