Tragic Selfie Incident Claims Two Lives in Rajkot
A devastating incident unfolded on the outskirts of Rajkot on Monday evening, where the pursuit of social media attention through selfies turned fatal for two friends. The tragedy occurred near the Maldhari railway crossing close to Gondal Chowkdi, highlighting the grave dangers associated with reckless behavior on railway tracks.
Details of the Fatal Accident
According to officials from the Aji Dam police station, the incident took place around 5 pm when four friends ventured onto the railway track to capture selfies. At that moment, the Veraval–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat train was approaching. The train, which had originated from Veraval, struck the group as they were attempting to take photographs.
Police reports indicate that Sandeep Patel died instantly at the scene. The other two friends sustained severe injuries and were promptly transported to a hospital via a 108 emergency ambulance. Tragically, one of the injured individuals, Sandeep Kohli, succumbed to his injuries during medical treatment. The third youth, Kapidev Patel, is currently receiving medical care and is reported to be out of danger. The fourth friend, Kuldeep Patel, managed to escape without any injuries.
Evidence and Investigation Findings
Authorities recovered a mobile phone from the accident site, which contained photographs showing the trio taking selfies on the railway track. This evidence strongly suggests that they had posed or filmed themselves shortly before the train collision. Preliminary investigations have revealed that all four individuals were natives of Uttar Pradesh and were employed at a factory located near the Maldhari crossing. Both deceased friends were in their early thirties, adding to the sorrow of the incident.
Eyewitness Account and Aftermath
In a statement to media persons, Kuldeep Patel shared that he had arrived in Rajkot from his native Uttar Pradesh on Monday. He disclosed that Sandeep Kohli was scheduled to return to his hometown by bus in the evening but tragically lost his life in the accident. "After leaving the room around 4 pm, all friends were taking selfies near the railway track when a train approached, resulting in an accident," he recounted.
The bodies of the two deceased have been sent for a postmortem examination, and further investigation is currently underway. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils associated with taking selfies in hazardous locations, particularly near active railway tracks.
Broader Context of Railway Track Fatalities
It is noteworthy that similar incidents have been reported across India in recent times, with fatalities frequently occurring near railway tracks. The Rajkot tragedy underscores the urgent need for increased public awareness and safety measures to prevent such avoidable accidents in the future.
