Tragic Car Accident in Haldwani Claims Two Lives

A devastating accident shook Haldwani late Monday night when a speeding Swift car crashed into a 14-wheeler truck near Teen Pani Chowk. The impact was so severe that the car was completely wrecked, and its airbags burst upon deployment. Two young men lost their lives on the spot, while a third passenger sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

A Routine Trip Turns Deadly

The three friends, all from Bageshwar, had come to Haldwani to purchase supplies for a mobile shop. After completing their errands, they set out for Lalkuan around 2:27 AM. Tragically, their journey ended abruptly when their car slammed into a truck moving ahead of them.

Local residents, startled by the loud crash, rushed to the scene and immediately informed the police. A team led by Mandi Police Chowki in-charge Prem Vishwakarma arrived swiftly, extricating the victims from the mangled vehicle and rushing them to Sushila Tiwari Hospital. Sadly, 25-year-old Sanjeev Kumar Chaubey and 27-year-old Gaurav Joshi were declared dead upon arrival. The third passenger, 26-year-old Himanshu Kumar, suffered severe injuries to his head, legs, and arms and was later shifted to a private hospital for advanced treatment.

Lives Cut Short Too Soon

Sanjeev Kumar had been serving in the Indian Army for the past three years, while Gaurav Joshi owned a mobile shop in Bageshwar. Himanshu, an engineer working remotely since the COVID-19 pandemic, was the only survivor of the crash.

Hit-and-Run Mystery

Shockingly, the truck driver did not stop after the collision. A scooter tire, which had been attached to the truck’s rear for safety, fell off at the accident site, but the vehicle itself continued on. The police are currently scanning CCTV footage to track down the driver, but darkness at the time of the accident has made identification difficult.

Could Airbags Have Saved Them?

Witnesses described the sound of the crash as deafening, jolting nearby residents from their sleep. The car was completely destroyed, and its airbags, which were meant to protect the passengers, burst open upon impact. Police officials believe that if the airbags had functioned properly, the victims might have survived.

This tragic accident once again highlights the deadly consequences of high-speed driving. While authorities continue their investigation, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking on the roads of Haldwani.