In a devastating road accident that occurred late Tuesday evening on the Rishikesh–Haridwar road near Rishikesh, four people were killed when the crossover utility vehicle (SUV) they were traveling in violently collided with a truck parked on the roadside.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh confirmed the incident, stating that all four occupants of the SUV died on the spot.
Details of the Crash
- Location: Near PNB City Gate on the Rishikesh–Haridwar road.
- Vehicles Involved: An XUV (Registration No. UK07 FS 5587) and a parked truck (Registration No. HR 58 A 9751).
- Victims: All four occupants of the SUV died instantly. Their bodies were immediately shifted to a hospital via ambulance.
- Vehicle Condition: SSP Ajai Singh noted that the SUV was “completely damaged in the crash.”
Initial Investigation: Prima facie evidence suggests that the driver of the SUV may have lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid an animal on the road. However, a detailed investigation is currently underway by the police to determine the exact cause of the fatal accident. Police teams from Rishikesh police station, along with personnel from Shyampur and IDPL outposts, rushed to the scene after receiving the alert.
The identities of the deceased have yet to be officially released by the police.
The Wider Context: Uttarakhand’s Road Safety Challenge
This tragedy underscores the persistent road safety issues faced by Uttarakhand, where over 1,000 road accidents are reported annually. The state’s hazardous mountainous terrain, characterized by winding and narrow roads, often exacerbates the danger, particularly during the monsoon and winter seasons when poor visibility severely increases risk.
To address this critical public safety concern, the Uttarakhand cabinet approved the Road Safety Policy, 2025, in February, with the ambitious goal of reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.
Primary Objectives of the Policy:
- Ensure the safety of all road users.
- Raise public awareness regarding road safety.
- Develop safer, more robust road infrastructure.
- Strengthen the enforcement of traffic regulations.
- Promote qualitative research on road safety.
- Strengthen emergency medical care for accident victims.
The policy aims to identify and coordinate the roles of various stakeholder departments to achieve these vital goals.