A tragic road accident on the busy Nainital highway in Rampur claimed the life of a government driver on Sunday evening. The fatal incident occurred when a truck transporting wood scrap overturned, completely crushing a Bolero SUV belonging to the Uttar Pradesh power department beneath it.
Chronology of a Fatal Collision
The accident took place around 4:45 pm near the Pahadi Gate crossing, a notoriously busy intersection. According to police, both vehicles were heading towards Bilaspur Gate, with the government SUV moving ahead of the truck. As they approached the crossing, the driver of the Bolero attempted to take a turn. The truck driver, trying to avoid a collision, swerved but lost control. His vehicle hit the divider and toppled over, landing directly on top of the SUV.
The load of wood scrap from the truck's cargo bed completely buried and flattened the SUV, creating a scene of panic and chaos. Firasat, the 40-year-old driver and a resident of Gujjar Tola in Rampur, was trapped inside the wreckage.
Massive Rescue Operation Launched
Emergency services responded swiftly to the crisis. Teams from three police stations, traffic police, the fire brigade, and at least six ambulances rushed to the spot. Senior officials, including SP Vidyasagar Mishra and City Circle Officer Jitendra Kumar, personally supervised the rescue efforts.
A crane was deployed to lift the overturned truck and clear the massive pile of scattered wood scrap. After a strenuous operation, the trapped driver was pulled out and rushed to the district hospital. Unfortunately, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Investigation Underway, Truck Driver Absconds
The aftermath of the accident led to significant disruption, with the highway remaining blocked for nearly an hour as authorities cleared the debris. Police confirmed that the driver of the truck fled the scene immediately after the accident. "Efforts are on to trace him," stated SP Vidyasagar Mishra. He further added that investigators are also examining whether the truck was overloaded, which could have been a contributing factor in the vehicle's instability and subsequent overturning.
The ill-fated Bolero was attached on a contract basis to the electricity department and was allotted to the Khod power substation. Sub-divisional officer Nagendra Kumar, who had taken charge just two days prior, clarified that he was not using the vehicle on Sunday, a holiday. "On holidays, the driver usually gets the vehicle serviced. That is why the Bolero was with him," Kumar explained. The driver's family has been informed of the tragic loss.
