A horrific collision between two container trucks in the dead of night has resulted in a driver's tragic death on the crucial Agra-Kanpur National Highway. The incident, attributed to near-zero visibility due to dense fog, occurred in the Etawah district and led to a devastating fire.
Midnight Collision and a Fatal Blaze
The accident took place around midnight on Thursday in the Friends Colony police station area. A container truck carrying gypsum, travelling from Haryana to Varanasi, rammed into the rear of another truck loaded with salt. The point of impact was approximately 300 metres before the Pakka Bagh overbridge.
The force of the rear-end collision was so severe that it triggered an explosion, causing the gypsum-laden container to erupt in flames. The driver of this truck, identified as Lovely alias Jaskirat Singh from Sirsa district in Haryana, was trapped inside the cabin. He succumbed to severe burn injuries before help could reach him.
Rescue Hampered by Zero Visibility
Emergency services faced immense challenges due to the weather conditions. Police and fire brigade officials received information about the crash around 1 AM. However, dense fog had reduced visibility to zero, critically delaying the response. It took three long hours for the three fire tenders to navigate their way to the accident spot.
Once they arrived, firefighters battled the blaze and eventually brought it under control. In a grim discovery, the charred remains of driver Lovely Singh were later recovered from the burnt-out cabin. His identity was confirmed by a fellow truck driver, Jagjit Singh, who was at the scene.
Driver Flees, Highway Blocked
In the aftermath of the crash, the driver of the salt-laden truck reportedly fled from the location. Fellow driver Jagjit Singh presented an account of the events, alleging that the fleeing driver suddenly applied brakes, causing the following truck to lose control and collide.
The accident caused significant disruption on the vital highway. The Agra to Kanpur stretch remained closed for approximately one hour as authorities worked to clear the wreckage. Police had to call in a crane to remove both damaged trucks from the carriageway.
Police Investigation Underway
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Etawah, Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, has confirmed that an investigation is active. "Teams have been formed to nab the absconding truck driver," stated Srivastava. The search is on for the driver who left the scene, as police piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this fatal midnight crash.
