A dense and sudden blanket of morning fog on a national highway in Punjab's Khanna proved fatal on Friday, resulting in the death of a young man and leaving two of his companions critically injured. The tragic incident occurred when the motorcycle they were riding on collided at high speed with a stationary milk tanker.
The Fatal Collision in Zero Visibility
The victims were on their way back to Ludhiana after attending the Shaheedi Sabha programme at Fatehgarh Sahib. Police investigators stated that visibility dropped dramatically just minutes before the crash as a heavy fog descended upon the region. A milk tanker had been parked on the highway shoulder for approximately ten minutes due to a mechanical failure—specifically, a damaged tyre that needed changing.
Sub-inspector Sukhdev Singh of the Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF) explained the sequence of events. The motorcycle, carrying three individuals, was being driven at high speed. In the poor visibility caused by the thick fog, the rider failed to see the parked heavy vehicle in time and crashed directly into its rear.
Victims and Emergency Response
The impact of the collision was so severe that all three riders were thrown onto the pavement. The deceased has been identified as Pawan, a resident of Bhagwan Nagar in Dholewal. His injured companions are Ishan from Giaspura and Anmol from Dholewal, both of whom sustained critical injuries.
Witnesses at the scene discovered one youth dead and immediately alerted the police control room. SSF officials arrived promptly and coordinated with emergency services. An ambulance transported the two survivors to Khanna's civil hospital for urgent treatment. Medical reports indicate one of the injured men is in a particularly serious condition.
Winter Fog: A Recurring Deadly Hazard on Punjab Highways
This tragic accident underscores a persistent and deadly danger during Punjab's winter months. Investigators highlighted the rapid shift in weather conditions, with the heavy fog setting in merely ten minutes before the collision. Seasonal fog frequently reduces visibility to near zero, transforming stationary vehicles on high-speed corridors like national highways into lethal obstacles.
The incident serves as a grim reminder for all motorists to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and use appropriate lights when driving in foggy conditions to prevent such heartbreaking losses of life.
