Early morning dense fog on Tuesday led to a tragic series of events on the Yamuna Expressway, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. Three separate accidents occurred within a mere 30-minute window, as visibility plummeted to dangerously low levels across the National Capital Region (NCR).
A Deadly Half-Hour on the High-Speed Corridor
According to police reports, the chaos unfolded between 7:30 am and 8:00 am along the Dankaur and Jewar stretches of the expressway. Visibility had dropped to just 50 metres, creating hazardous driving conditions on the high-speed corridor. The sequence of collisions highlights the severe risks posed by winter fog in the region.
Chronology of the Crashes
The first incident was reported around 7:30 am near the 7.6-kilometre milestone, within the jurisdiction of Dankaur police station. Two vehicles collided after their drivers failed to see the traffic ahead through the thick blanket of fog. While both vehicles sustained significant damage, all occupants were fortunate to escape with only minor injuries. They were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The situation turned fatal barely thirty minutes later. Near the 38-kilometre milestone in the Jewar police station area, a motorcycle rammed into a bus travelling ahead on the expressway. The impact was severe, and the rider, identified as Rohit, a resident of Aligarh, died on the spot, confirmed a senior police officer.
Tragedy struck again just minutes later and less than a kilometre away, near the 38.5km milestone. Amid the persistent poor visibility, another motorcycle collided with a vehicle in front. This crash proved fatal for the rider, Gunjan, who was also from Aligarh. A second person travelling with Gunjan sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.
Police Point to Visibility and Speed
In the aftermath of the triple accidents, police officials indicated that a combination of factors was likely responsible. "Low visibility due to fog and possible speeding appear to be the main reasons behind these incidents," stated a senior officer. The expressway, designed for high-speed travel, becomes particularly perilous when weather conditions deteriorate suddenly, requiring extreme caution from drivers.
The consecutive accidents on a single morning serve as a grim reminder of the challenges faced during North India's winter months. They underscore the critical need for motorists to adjust their speed, maintain safe distance, and use appropriate lights when navigating through fog to prevent such heartbreaking losses on the road.
