A grim wave of road fatalities continued to grip Vadodara on Thursday, claiming the lives of three elderly men in three separate and tragic incidents across the city within a span of just 24 hours. The deaths have sparked renewed concern among citizens over rampant traffic violations and perceived lax enforcement.
Three Tragic Incidents Across the City
The day's first tragedy struck in the Vadsar area near the Vadsar bridge early on Thursday. Babu Surti, aged 75, was crossing the road on his bicycle when a dumper truck hit him from behind. The impact was severe, and Surti was run over, dying instantly on the spot. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver briefly exited the vehicle before abandoning the dumper and fleeing. The Manjalpur police have initiated a search for the absconding driver.
Hours later, another fatal collision occurred on Chhani Road. Here, Raju Parmar, 60, was riding his two-wheeler when a dumper truck struck him from the rear. Parmar suffered critical head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A case has been registered by the Fatehgunj police, who are also hunting for the driver responsible.
Chaos at Airport Circle Claims Another Life
The third accident unfolded near Airport Circle, adding to the day's somber tally. Hasmukh Vankar, 69, was walking along the roadside when a tempo driver lost control of his vehicle. The tempo first crashed into a tree, then mowed down Vankar, before subsequently colliding with a car and another two-wheeler. While Vankar died on the spot, a biker involved in the secondary collision sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Mounting Public Anger and Safety Concerns
This deadly sequence has amplified existing fears among Vadodara's residents. Many point to an increase in dangerous driving and the conspicuous absence of traffic police at several key and busy junctions as primary reasons for the escalating danger on roads.
The Thursday incidents follow another serious accident that occurred just two days prior, on Tuesday night, in the Sama area. In that event, a speeding car hit a roadside cart owner before ramming into a two-wheeler, leaving two people injured. The back-to-back incidents have created a palpable sense of urgency for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the city.
