Residents of a Ludhiana village are demanding urgent safety measures after two terrifying accidents occurred at the same spot within a span of just thirty minutes on Sunday night. The incidents, which saw a car and a truck plunge into an unprotected water channel, left three people injured and highlighted the dangers of the poorly lit rural stretch.
A Blinding Glare Leads to First Crash
The sequence of events began around 9 pm on Sunday on the Jagraon-Sidhwan Bet road near Leela village. Gurjit Singh, a resident of Sohian village, was driving back home from Jalandhar with his wife, Balwinder Kaur, after a visit to the doctor. According to accounts, the driver of an oncoming vehicle used high-beam headlights, momentarily blinding Gurjit Singh.
This sudden glare caused him to lose control of the car. The vehicle veered off the road and fell into the deep water channel lining the street, which notably lacks any protective railings or safety walls. The couple was trapped inside the car as a result of the impact.
Community Springs to Action, Followed by Second Mishap
Alerted by the crash, local residents rushed to the scene. They worked quickly to free the trapped couple from the car. Using a JCB excavator, they managed to pull the vehicle out of the water channel. The couple was provided initial aid and was in a state of shock.
In a shocking repeat of tragedy, roughly 20 minutes after the first rescue, a truck traveling on the same dark road met with an identical fate. The heavy vehicle also plunged into the same unguarded section of the water channel. Once again, the vigilant locals stepped in and successfully rescued the truck driver from the wreckage.
Injuries, Hospitalization, and Mounting Safety Concerns
All three victims—Gurjit Singh, Balwinder Kaur, and the truck driver—sustained injuries in the separate accidents. They were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Their current condition is reported to be stable.
The back-to-back accidents have ignited fear and anger among the villagers. They point to the complete absence of safety barriers and inadequate lighting on the road as the primary cause of such frequent mishaps. With the foggy winter season approaching, residents fear the risk for commuters will increase exponentially on this treacherous stretch.
Following the incidents, the community formally notified the Jagraon police about the grave safety hazard. Police officials have assured the locals that they will urge the concerned civic authorities to install necessary safety measures, including railings and proper street lights, along the channel to prevent future tragedies.
