Daijiworld Media Network - Haridwar

Haridwar, Dec 17: Four people lost their lives instantly late Tuesday night in a tragic road accident on the Rishikesh–Haridwar highway after a speeding SUV collided with a stationary truck near the Mansa Devi railway crossing.

According to police, a Mahindra XUV500 travelling at high speed from Haridwar towards Rishikesh rammed into the rear of a parked truck with such force that the SUV was crushed and wedged beneath the larger vehicle. Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with the car reduced to a mangled wreck. Preliminary accounts indicate the SUV had been overtaking multiple vehicles moments before the crash.

“It was a terrible sight. The driver swerved sharply, possibly to avoid an animal, lost control, and collided with the truck,” an eyewitness told police.

Emergency teams from Rishikesh Kotwali, Shyampur, and IDPL police outposts rushed to the site. Rescue personnel used a heavy-duty crane to cut through the wreckage and extricate the victims. All four occupants were taken to hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Police have identified two of the deceased as Dheeraj Jaiswal (30) and Hariom (22), both residents of Rishikesh. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining two victims. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the high-speed collision are underway.