PALANPUR: A devastating collision involving a pickup van, a truck, and two two-wheelers on the national highway near Radhanpur in Patan district resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left at least 15 others injured on Sunday morning. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about road safety and ongoing highway construction work in the region.
The tragic accident occurred around 10 am near Moti Pipli village, a location that has now become the site of a major road safety failure.
How the Palanpur Highway Accident Unfolded
According to Patan District Superintendent of Police, Vasant Nayi, the chain of events began when a pickup van, carrying approximately 15 passengers, attempted a dangerous overtaking maneuver. This reckless act proved catastrophic on a stretch of the highway where one side of the road was blocked due to ongoing construction.
“The pickup van collided head-on with a truck during the overtaking attempt,” SP Nayi stated. “In the process, the van also hit a couple of two-wheelers with four persons on them.”
The force of the initial collision and the subsequent impact with the motorcycles led to a severe pile-up, causing multiple casualties and widespread chaos.
Victims of the Radhanpur Road Crash
The collision proved fatal for four people. The deceased have been identified as:
- Lakshman Desai (Pickup Van Passenger)
- Yash Unchosan (Pickup Van Passenger)
- Kanu Raval (Motorcyclist)
- Nasib Khan (Motorcyclist)
Of the 15 injured individuals rushed for medical treatment, the condition of two is reported to be critical. All injured were initially taken to Radhanpur’s referral hospital, while those with more severe injuries were transferred to Dharpur Medical College in Patan for advanced care.
Official Response and Long-Standing Highway Concerns
Radhanpur police station inspector, RK Patel, provided further details on the directions of the vehicles, noting that the truck was en route from Radhanpur to Varahi when the collision occurred.
The accident has prompted a strong reaction from local authorities. Radhanpur MLA, Lavingji Thakor, who visited the injured in the hospital, revealed that this tragedy was not entirely unforeseen.
Thakor confirmed that he has repeatedly raised alarms with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the poor and hazardous condition of the highway, especially in areas under construction. This incident underscores the urgent need for the NHAI to address these safety lapses, which include inadequate signage, traffic management, and barricading at construction sites.
A Call for Improved Road Safety
This heartbreaking accident on the Palanpur-Radhanpur highway serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving and inadequate safety measures on Indian roads. As authorities investigate the exact cause, the community mourns the loss of life and demands immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future. Ensuring proper traffic management during highway construction is paramount to safeguarding the lives of daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
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