Three occupants of an SUV, including a newlywed couple, were killed after their vehicle rammed into the rear of a container truck near the Bajheri toll plaza on the IT City-Kurali national highway on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred on a newly opened stretch of the highway that has a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph and currently experiences relatively light traffic.
Details of the Crash
The truck driver claimed he applied the brakes suddenly to avoid running over a snake on the road. Moments later, the speeding SUV, travelling from Airport Road towards Kurali, crashed into the truck from behind. The front portion of the SUV was crushed underneath the truck, trapping the occupants inside.
Passersby used iron rods to pry open the mangled vehicle and helped rescue teams extricate the victims. Personnel of the State Security Force (SSF) rushed them to the Civil Hospital in Kharar, where doctors declared them brought dead.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as Pratyush Jain, a businessman from Mehatpur; his wife, Harshita, who was seated in the front passenger seat; and Suresh Kumar, a lawyer from Dehlan village in Una district, who was travelling in the rear seat. Pratyush and Harshita were married in March this year.
Ashwani Jain, uncle of Pratyush Jain, said that Pratyush, Harshita, and family friend Suresh Kumar had travelled to Jind to attend the wedding of Pratyush's sister on Sunday and were returning to Una when the accident occurred. "Pratyush got married in March this year. They were returning home after attending the wedding," he said.
Police Investigation
In his complaint, Aditya Jain, younger brother of Pratyush and the complainant in the case, alleged that the truck driver had stopped the vehicle negligently and suddenly reversed it in the middle of the road, causing the accident. He further alleged that the truck driver fled the spot after the crash.
Based on his statement, the Gharuan police have registered a case under relevant sections. The investigation is underway. The bodies have been kept in the hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
