Tragic Accident Claims Life of Veteran Truck Driver in Ludhiana
A devastating incident unfolded in Gill village, Ludhiana, on Saturday night, resulting in the tragic death of a 43-year-old truck driver. The experienced driver, identified as Harwinder Singh from Hoshiarpur, lost his life after his vehicle collided with a transformer and came into contact with high-tension overhead electrical wires.
Immediate Electrocution During Escape Attempt
According to eyewitness accounts from residents near a private hospital in the village, the truck's impact with the transformer caused a massive electrical discharge. High-tension wires fell directly onto the vehicle, immediately igniting the tires. When Harwinder Singh noticed the flames and attempted to evacuate the burning truck, he was electrocuted the moment he touched the door handle.
A local resident described the horrifying moment: "The shock was so powerful that he did not get any chance to react or save himself. It happened in an instant."
Emergency Response and Family Tragedy
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving distress calls about a large truck engulfed in flames. Fire officials confirmed that when they arrived, the tires were fully ablaze. "We managed to control the fire before it could reach the fuel tank, which prevented what could have been a catastrophic explosion," a fire official stated.
Despite immediate medical attention, doctors at a nearby hospital declared Harwinder Singh dead on arrival. The tragedy is particularly heartbreaking as he was the sole breadwinner for his family, leaving them in a precarious financial situation.
Pattern of Similar Incidents Raises Safety Concerns
This unfortunate event marks the third significant truck fire incident in the Ludhiana area since late 2023, raising serious questions about overhead wire safety and urban navigation for large vehicles:
- In November 2023, a truck fire on the Ferozepur Road elevated path resulted in a fatality
- On January 25, a CNG truck ignited due to a spark from overhead wires in Sunder Nagar, though the driver managed to escape in that instance
Police have moved Harwinder Singh's body to a private hospital mortuary and stated that it will be released to the grieving family once all legal formalities are completed. The repeated nature of these incidents has prompted calls for improved safety measures and infrastructure assessment in the region.
