A devastating road accident in Punjab’s Ferozepur district on Friday morning claimed 11 lives and left 15 others injured, as a Mahindra Bolero pick-up van collided with a canter truck amid dense fog. The tragedy unfolded at around 8 am on the Ferozepur-Fazilka highway near Mohan Ke Utaar village, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.
The accident was so severe that the bodies of the deceased were found scattered along the roadside, while injured passengers writhed in pain. The majority of the victims were waiters traveling to Jalalabad for a wedding function. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene, describing how some victims were flung several feet away due to the impact, while others were trapped inside the mangled remains of the pick-up van.
The local police and emergency teams, along with bystanders, rushed to the scene to aid the victims. Initial investigations suggested that poor visibility due to heavy fog played a crucial role in the accident. However, the police have launched a detailed probe to ascertain if other factors, such as speeding or driver negligence, contributed to the collision.
Among the deceased was Sukhwinder Singh, the only brother among five sisters, whose tragic death left his family inconsolable. His relatives, along with the families of other victims, were seen wailing at the accident site and local hospitals.
Emergency response teams, including the Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF), reached the scene shortly after receiving the distress call. Inspector Jaswinder Singh Brar, who led the initial investigation, stated that the impact of the crash was so intense that eight people died on the spot, while others succumbed to injuries during treatment.
Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Deepshikha Sharma confirmed 11 fatalities and assured that all injured individuals were being provided with full medical support by the district administration.
Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Saumya Mishra visited the accident site to assess the situation, ensuring that the victims received urgent medical attention at government hospitals in Ferozepur, Jalalabad, and Faridkot.
Two of the critically injured patients were transferred to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot; while others were undergoing treatment at various district hospitals. Medical Superintendent Dr Neetu Kukkad assured that all medical expenses for the injured would be covered by the state government.
According to DSP Satnam Singh, the Bolero pick-up was heading from Guru Har Sahai to Jalalabad, carrying waiters for a wedding function, while the canter truck was traveling in the opposite direction from Jalalabad to Ferozepur. The two vehicles collided head-on near Shaheed Udham Singh College.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, as injured victims lay scattered across the road, some with severe fractures and bleeding injuries. Locals rushed to their aid, using makeshift stretchers to transport the wounded to hospitals.
“There was thick fog, and suddenly, there was a loud crash. We saw bodies lying on the road, people crying for help,” said a local resident who was among the first responders.
Despite multiple distress calls, police and ambulances reportedly took over 30 minutes to arrive at the accident site, sparking criticism from local residents.
Eyewitnesses revealed that villagers had to use charpoys (traditional woven beds) as makeshift stretchers to carry the injured, as only two ambulances arrived initially, which were insufficient to transport all victims at once.
Police struggled to extract bodies from the wreckage, as the two vehicles were severely entangled due to the high-impact collision. Two bodies were crushed between the wreckage, making retrieval extremely difficult. Rescue teams had to use a tractor to separate the vehicles and pull out the deceased.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic accident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. “The Ferozepur accident is heart-wrenching. My prayers are with the families of the deceased. The Punjab government stands with the victims and will ensure that those injured receive the best medical care”, said the Chief Minister in a post on social media.
The State Government has announced financial assistance of Rs two lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Shiromani Akali Dal’s senior Sukhbir Singh Badal demanded a high-level probe into the accident, urging authorities to investigate whether any road safety lapses contributed to the tragedy. BJP leader and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh echoed similar sentiments, stating that such road accidents are preventable if proper highway monitoring and fog-related safety measures are enforced.
