A 19-year-old youth, Lakhwinder, from Saifabad village, died in a road accident near Phillaur on Saturday after the motorcycle he was riding skidded on a waterlogged road and collided with a truck. The death triggered widespread anger among residents of Nagar village, who blamed the delayed ambulance response for the loss of life.
Accident Due to Waterlogged Road
The incident occurred when Lakhwinder lost control of his motorcycle on the road connecting Nagar village, which had accumulated water from a nearby drain. According to reports, the drain water had been flowing across the village road for nearly a week, creating hazardous conditions for commuters. Residents claimed that repeated complaints to the authorities had failed to yield any action. The motorcycle skidded and hit a truck, leaving the youth critically injured.
Ambulance Delay and Community Response
Immediately after the accident, local residents informed the emergency ambulance service and the police. However, family members and villagers alleged that despite waiting for half an hour, no ambulance arrived at the accident spot. With Lakhwinder's condition deteriorating, residents were compelled to transport him to the Civil Hospital, Phillaur, on a handcart (rehri) used for collecting garbage. Doctors at the hospital declared him brought dead.
Protest and Demands
The tragic death sparked outrage among villagers, who blamed the Health Department and emergency response system for negligence. They alleged that had an ambulance arrived on time, the youth might have been saved. Following the incident, residents carried the body back from the hospital and staged a sit-in protest on the road with support from local villagers, demanding strict action against those responsible for the delay. Protesters, led by Bahujan Samaj Party leader Khushi Ram, also highlighted the waterlogged road as a long-standing civic issue, claiming that the accumulated water was a major reason behind the fatal accident. During the protest, demonstrators blocked traffic and raised slogans against the administration, questioning why repeated representations regarding the damaged road had been ignored. They urged the district administration to repair the road, improve drainage facilities, and ensure prompt emergency medical services in future.
Police Action
DSP Bharat Masih reached the spot and initiated efforts to pacify the protesters. He held discussions with village representatives and assured them that the matter would be investigated. DSP Bharat Masih stated, 'The police have registered a case under Section 304A, IPC, impounded the truck, and arrested the truck driver.' The police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the ambulance response and the accident.
