Daijiworld Media Network - Mhow
Mhow, Oct 9: A horrific late-night collision on the Nanded Bridge near Avle village in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow (officially known as Ambedkar Nagar) claimed the lives of four people and left several others injured, after a van fitted with a gas kit burst into flames following a high-speed crash.
The accident occurred on Wednesday night when a car, reportedly speeding from Mhow, lost control and slammed head-on into an oncoming van. The van, which had a gas kit installed, caught fire almost instantly due to the impact, trapping its occupants inside.
Two passengers in the van, identified as Pawan Singhwal and Kamle Gurjar, both residents of Manpur, were unable to escape and were burned alive. According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread within seconds, and despite the efforts of bystanders to save the victims, the flames were too intense.
The fire brigade arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze. Inside the charred van, two partially burnt bodies were recovered.
In the car, Ravindra, a resident of Dhamnod, and another unidentified individual were critically injured in the crash. Both were rescued from the wreckage and taken to a nearby hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Three others—Golu (25), Chetan (20) of Dharampuri in Basoda, and Sanjay (22) from Bagwana—sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Local residents and motorists on the bridge were the first to respond, alerting emergency services and attempting to assist the victims before officials arrived. Police have registered a case and launched a full investigation into the incident.
Preliminary findings suggest excessive speed and potential mechanical failure as contributing factors. Authorities have ordered a detailed technical examination of both vehicles involved and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The incident has also reignited concerns over the safety of gas kit-equipped vehicles and the need for stricter highway safety protocols.