A devastating road accident on the Bharatmala Expressway in Bathinda district resulted in the deaths of five tourists from Gujarat early Saturday morning. The group included a policewoman from Gujarat Police. Their SUV collided with a road divider amid extremely dense fog conditions.
Victims Were Young Adults on Return Journey
All five victims were in their late twenties and early thirties. They had traveled from the Banaskantha area of Gujarat to Punjab and were returning home when the crash occurred. The accident happened near Gurthari village, approximately 25 kilometers from Bathinda city and about 900 kilometers from their hometown in Banaskantha.
Fog Reduced Visibility to Dangerous Levels
Meteorological reports indicated visibility had dropped to just 40 meters in Bathinda at the time of the accident. Even when driving at 40 kilometers per hour, reaction time would be less than four seconds under such poor visibility conditions. This made driving extremely hazardous on the expressway.
Local Residents Rushed to Help After Hearing Crash
Residents of Gurthari village heard a loud bang and immediately rushed to the expressway. They alerted local police authorities and began rescue efforts alongside personnel from the Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF). The victims were quickly transported to AIIMS-Bathinda hospital, where doctors declared all five dead upon arrival.
Police Identify Victims and Confirm Details
Bathinda City SP Narinder Singh provided details about the tragic incident. "They left Bathinda early in the morning, and the accident occurred around 7:30 am," Singh stated. The police identified the deceased as:
- Arjun
- Satish
- Bharat
- Janak
- Amita (who served as a constable with Gujarat Police)
The accident highlights the dangers of driving in dense fog conditions, particularly on high-speed expressways. Local authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the crash while families mourn the loss of these young individuals from Gujarat.
