Tricity
9 killed, 12 injured as pickup van collides with truck in Ferozepur
A pre-dawn pickup‑van‑truck crash in Ferozepur killed nine and injured twelve, the victims a Jalalabad family returning ashes, sparking renewed highway safety demands.
Early on Tuesday morning, a pickup van collided with a loaded truck on the national highway near Ferozepur, killing nine people and injuring twelve others. The victims, a family from Jalalabad, were en route to perform the last rites for a deceased relative, according to local reports. The accident occurred before sunrise, catching the vehicle occupants off guard as the van struck the side of the truck, which was transporting goods.
The stretch of road where the crash took place has been a focus of concern for years, with frequent reports of inadequate lane width and poor visibility at night. Residents and transport operators have repeatedly urged the state authorities to widen the highway and improve safety measures. The tragedy has intensified demands from local residents and transport associations for the long‑pending widening of the highway segment, a project that has been delayed due to bureaucratic and financial hurdles.
Police have launched an inquiry into the cause of the collision, focusing on driver error and vehicle condition, while the injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of road safety on busy corridors in the region and adds urgency to discussions about infrastructure upgrades.
Source: Hindustan Times
