Gujarat Surendranagar Accident: A devastating road accident in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district on Sunday afternoon claimed the lives of eight people, including two children, after a Swift Dzire car collided head-on with a Tata Harrier SUV near Dedadara village in Wadhwan taluka.
The accident, which occurred around 3:40 PM, left the car completely gutted in flames after it veered off the highway, plunged into a roadside ditch, and immediately caught fire. Eyewitnesses said the impact was so severe that locals were unable to rescue the trapped passengers as the vehicle was engulfed in flames within moments.
Victims Trapped Inside as Car Catches Fire
Police confirmed that all eight occupants of the Swift Dzire car were burnt to death. The deceased included five women, the driver, and two children aged 10 months and 13 years. Their bodies were later shifted to the Surendranagar Government Hospital for postmortem examination.
DIG Surendranagar, Girish Pandya, said,
“All eight persons in the car were charred to death. The SUV’s front portion was badly damaged, but its passengers survived with minor injuries.”
Three people traveling in the SUV sustained minor injuries and were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Operations
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “terrifying,” with bystanders watching helplessly as the car was consumed by fire. Fire brigade teams, police, and a 108 ambulance service rushed to the spot, but despite their efforts, the occupants could not be saved.
Firefighters battled the flames for hours before the burnt remains of the victims were recovered. The accident also led to a massive traffic jam, with vehicles stranded for several kilometers on the busy highway until authorities managed to clear the route.
Preliminary Investigation: Overspeeding Suspected
Authorities believe overspeeding may have been the primary cause of the accident, though a detailed investigation is underway. Police officials are examining CCTV footage and vehicle conditions to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.
Rising Concerns Over Road Safety in Gujarat
This tragic accident has once again raised concerns over road safety in Gujarat, where frequent accidents caused by overspeeding, reckless driving, and poor road discipline have led to a spike in fatalities. Experts have urged authorities to strengthen road monitoring and install speed-detection systems on high-traffic routes.
The Surendranagar accident, which claimed eight lives, including two innocent children, stands as a grim reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and overspeeding. As the investigation continues, families of the victims are left mourning a devastating loss, while authorities face mounting pressure to implement stricter road safety measures in Gujarat.