A horrific road accident on the Panipat-Khatima Highway at Baghra Bypass in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of six members of a family from Faridpur village, Karnal, Haryana, on Wednesday morning at around 6:30 a.m. The family’s Ertiga car, traveling to Haridwar for an ash immersion ceremony, crashed into a stationary truck, causing the truck to lurch forward by about a foot. The collision left the car mangled, killing six passengers on the spot, while one survivor remains critically injured. The gruesome scene of bodies lined up along the highway left onlookers in shock.
Details of the Incident
The family was en route to Haridwar to immerse the ashes of Mohinder (or Mahender) Singh, who had passed away from cancer ten days earlier. The victims included Piyush (son), Rajender (brother), Mohini (sister-in-law), Anju (sister), Vicky, and Shiva (or other family members). The truck was parked near Tridev or Jaydev Hotel (a roadside dhaba) when the high-speed car rammed into it from behind. Eyewitness Rajesh Kumar recounted, “The truck was stationary. The car came at high speed, and there was a loud bang. At first, we couldn’t comprehend what happened.”
Locals rushed to the scene, alerting the police and ambulances. With fears of the car catching fire, rescuers struggled to extract the trapped bodies. Six individuals were declared dead, and the sole survivor, Hardik, was rushed to Baghra Community Health Centre and later to the district hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The police seized the truck, sent the bodies for post-mortem, and are searching for the driver, who fled the scene.
Official Response and Support
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured. The local administration assured all possible assistance to the bereaved family. The incident has reignited concerns about highway safety, with overloaded trucks and speeding vehicles often blamed for such tragedies. A case of negligence has been registered, and police are investigating the circumstances, including why the truck was parked on the highway.
This accident adds to the growing tally of road fatalities in Uttar Pradesh, where thousands lose their lives annually. It underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better road infrastructure.
