A horrific road accident on the busy Delhi-Nainital Highway in Rampur resulted in the tragic death of a 54-year-old driver on Monday, 29 December. The fatal incident, captured on a nearby CCTV camera, shows a heavily loaded truck losing control and overturning onto a Mahindra Bolero SUV, completely crushing it.
How the Rampur Highway Tragedy Unfolded
The collision occurred on Nainital Road near Pahadi Gate, close to a local power house. According to police and eyewitness reports, the Bolero, driven by Firasat, was attempting to take a turn from a highway cut. Firasat had just dropped off the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the electricity department at the Khoud substation and was heading home around 4:30 pm.
As the SUV began its manoeuvre, a truck carrying wood shavings approached from behind. In a desperate attempt to avoid a direct hit, the truck driver swerved towards the central divider. This action proved catastrophic. The truck's front wheel mounted the divider, causing the vehicle to lose balance, tilt, and crash directly onto the Bolero.
The sheer weight of the truck flattened the SUV instantly. Rescue personnel who later reached the spot described the Bolero as "barely recognisable" beneath the overturned heavy vehicle. Firasat was trapped inside and died on the spot. Officials reported that the immense pressure crushed his head and shattered his spine.
Massive Rescue Ops and Traffic Chaos
Emergency services launched a large-scale operation to clear the wreckage. They deployed four cranes, two bulldozers, and a JCB machine. It took rescuers approximately 30 minutes to lift the truck and access the crushed remains of the Bolero.
The accident caused severe disruption on the crucial highway. Traffic was backed up for nearly two kilometres, and the flow remained stalled for close to three hours. Authorities were forced to divert vehicles through alternate routes to manage the gridlock.
Viral Video Fuels Nationwide Anger Over Road Safety
The circulation of the disturbing CCTV footage on social media platforms triggered intense public outrage and a heated debate on road safety norms in India. Users pointed fingers at various systemic failures.
Many comments highlighted critical issues:
- Alleged overloading and high speed of the truck within city limits.
- The need for stricter driver's licence testing and lane discipline enforcement.
- Calls for banning heavy vehicle movement in cities during daytime.
- Discussions on the dangers of driving close to large trucks, especially near their blind spots.
Superintendent of Police Vidyasagar Mishra visited the accident site and supervised the clearance operation. Police confirmed that the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash, and a search is currently underway.
Firasat's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and his family has been informed. The truck involved has been seized and moved to the police station compound as legal proceedings continue.
