A truck carrying goods overturned on the Abohar highway in Punjab early on Tuesday morning after the driver swerved to avoid a nilgai (blue bull) that suddenly crossed the road. The driver and the conductor sustained injuries in the accident.
The incident occurred near the village of Dhaba, about 10 kilometers from Abohar town. According to eyewitnesses, the truck was traveling at a moderate speed when the nilgai appeared unexpectedly. The driver lost control while attempting to steer clear of the animal, causing the vehicle to tip over and land on its side.
Local residents rushed to the scene and helped extricate the driver and conductor from the cabin. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition. The driver, identified as Gurpreet Singh, suffered a broken arm, while the conductor, Ramesh Kumar, had minor bruises and cuts.
The truck, which was transporting construction materials from Abohar to Ferozepur, was badly damaged. The cargo spilled onto the road, leading to a temporary blockade of traffic. Police and highway authorities arrived at the scene to clear the debris and restore normal traffic flow. The vehicle was later towed away for repairs.
Nilgai, the largest Asian antelope, are commonly found in the region and often stray onto highways, causing accidents. Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution, especially during early morning and evening hours when wildlife movement is more frequent. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in areas where highways cut through natural habitats.
In recent years, there have been several similar accidents on Punjab highways involving nilgai and other wild animals. Conservationists have called for measures such as installing wildlife crossing signs, fencing along vulnerable stretches, and creating underpasses for animals to reduce such incidents.
