A pick-up van carrying 29 people overturned on the AJC Bose Road flyover injuring seven passengers, two of them critically, on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The passengers were returning from Babughat after performing the last rites of a family member when the pick-up van lost control and overturned, the police said.

The accident happened around 4.25pm near the east-bound ramp of the AJC Bose Road flyover, which connects it to the Parama flyover.

Some of the injured passengers at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital Telegraph picture

Findings of a preliminary investigation by traffic cops suggest the Tata 407 in which the family was returning was travelling at a high speed and lost control metres ahead of the spot where the flanks towards the Parama flyover and the Park Circus Seven-point crossing bifurcates.

“It is apparent that the vehicle was moving at a high speed and overturned near the spot where the flyover lands towards the Park Circus Seven-point crossing. Initially, we had thought that the driver was among the injured. But later we realised that he was missing,” said an officer of the traffic department.

Hundreds of vehicles that were heading east on the AJC Bose Road flyover were stranded for nearly an hour after the accident.

Traffic was affected on AJC Bose Road, DL Khan Road, Red Road, Park Circus and the city-bound flank of the Parama flyover.

An injured passenger at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital Telegraph picture

The EM Bypass-bound vehicles were diverted through AJC Bose Road and the Exide crossing, while vehicles headed for the city from the Bypass were diverted through the Park Circus seven-point crossing.

The police said members of the Mahali family — who live at Bamunpara Lane near Palm Avenue — were returning from Babughat after performing the last rites of an elderly member of the family when the accident happened.

Of the 29 passengers, 14 were women. Seven of them have been admitted to the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, the police said.

The vehicle’s owner was contacted for the details and mobile number of the driver, whose last location was tracked down to a place near Tiljala on Wednesday evening.

A case of rash and negligent driving, dangerous driving has been started against the driver, the police said.

Senior officers in the traffic department said ideally all vehicles should slow down at turns and bifurcations on flyovers to avert accidents.