Ghaziabad: Two Minors Dead, Two Critical in Tragic Scooter-Cab Collision
In a devastating road accident in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, two young boys lost their lives and two others sustained critical injuries after the scooter they were riding—carrying all four minors without helmets—crashed head-on into an Ertiga cab on Sunday evening. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting grave concerns about road safety and juvenile driving.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The collision occurred around 7 pm on the Kanawani-Pusta road when the four school friends were out for a casual ride. According to police reports, the scooter was being ridden by Ansh (14), who had picked up his friends one by one. The victims have been identified as Satyam (13) and Shakib (10), who succumbed to their injuries, and Ansh and Piyush alias Golu (11), who suffered grievous wounds and remain in critical condition.
Shakib passed away late on Sunday night, while Satyam died on Monday afternoon during treatment, deepening the tragedy for their families and the local neighborhood.
Police Investigation and Statements
Abhishek Srivastava, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Indirapuram, provided crucial insights into the accident. He stated that the scooter was traveling at high speed when Ansh lost control, leading to the head-on collision with the cab. "A collision took place between the scooter and the car. It also emerged that the scooter was speeding and Ansh lost control before ramming into the vehicle," the ACP explained.
Police revealed that all four boys were former neighbors from Kanawani village, and though some families had moved to Vasundhara, they continued to study together, maintaining their close bond.
Cab Driver's Role and Legal Action
The cab driver, identified as Sahil (22), a resident of Loni who works with an online ride service, was returning to Indirapuram after dropping a passenger in Vasundhara. After the crash, Sahil took the injured boys to the hospital in his car, an act that initially seemed compassionate but later led to his arrest.
He was identified through hospital CCTV footage and arrested on Monday night. An FIR has been registered at the Indirapuram police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 281 for rash driving
- Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence
- Section 125(b) for causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety
This legal action underscores the severity of the incident and the authorities' commitment to addressing negligence on the roads.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
The accident has sparked urgent discussions about road safety, particularly concerning minors driving vehicles without proper supervision or safety gear. The absence of helmets and the overcrowding on the scooter are stark reminders of the risks associated with such practices.
Local residents and authorities are calling for increased vigilance and stricter enforcement of traffic rules to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The loss of young lives in Ghaziabad serves as a somber warning about the consequences of reckless driving and the need for greater awareness among both drivers and pedestrians.
