The first day of the New Year brought unimaginable grief to a family from Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh, as four of its members, including two young children, lost their lives in a devastating road accident. The incident occurred on the Jabalpur–Nagpur national highway near Kurai in Seoni on Thursday evening.
A Joyous Journey Turns Fatal
The victims were identified as Parmanand Barkade, 45, his wife Geeta, 38, their 8-year-old daughter Mahi, and 4-year-old son Deepanshu. The family was travelling from their home village of Khawasatola in Seoni district to Dargarha village, the home of Parmanand's in-laws, to celebrate the New Year. They were all riding together on a single motorcycle for the festive visit.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to police officials, the fatal collision happened when their motorcycle rammed into a large truck that was parked on the roadside. The truck had developed a technical snag and was stationary. Sub-divisional officer of police (Barghat), Lalit Gathre, provided details of the tragic event.
"The truck driver had parked the vehicle on the side after it developed some technical glitches and had also put on indicators," stated Gathre. "However, it is probable that due to the prevailing fog and darkness on the highway, Parmanand Barkade could not see the stationary truck in time. His motorcycle crashed into the rear of the truck with great force, leading to the instantaneous deaths of all four family members."
A Grim Reminder of Highway Dangers
This heartbreaking accident on NH-44, one of India's major national highways, has cast a pall over the region and serves as a stark reminder of the perils of night travel, especially during winter fog. The fact that the family was on a celebratory trip amplifies the sense of loss. Local authorities have initiated a full investigation into the circumstances, examining factors like the truck's parking protocol, visibility conditions, and the role of fog. The tragedy underscores the critical need for heightened road safety measures, proper vehicle lighting, and extreme caution while driving in low-visibility conditions on high-speed corridors.
