Uttar Pradesh – A devastating road accident claimed four lives and left 25 others injured when multiple vehicles collided on the Yamuna Expressway in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Yamuna Expressway pile-up occurred near milestone 127 in Mathura’s Baldev area, triggered by severely reduced visibility due to dense fog conditions that have plagued the region during the winter season.
Details of the Multi-Vehicle Collision
The Yamuna Expressway pile-up involved at least seven buses and three cars that collided in a chain reaction accident at approximately 4:30 am on Tuesday. The impact of the collision was so severe that vehicles caught fire, creating a catastrophic scene on one of India’s major expressways. The incident highlights the dangerous driving conditions that persist during winter months when fog blankets northern Indian highways.
According to Mathura SSP Shlok Kumar, among the four fatalities in the Yamuna Expressway pile-up, three victims were passengers traveling in the buses while one person was in a car. The officer confirmed that while 25 people sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital, none of them were in serious condition, offering some relief amid the tragedy.
Vehicles Involved in the Accident
Police officials investigating the Yamuna Expressway pile-up identified the composition of vehicles involved in the collision. Mathura SP Suresh Chandra Rawat revealed that one of the buses was a state roadways bus, while the remaining six were private sleeper buses. The three cars involved completed the tally of ten vehicles that became entangled in this deadly chain reaction accident caused by the fog-induced low visibility conditions.
Eyewitness Account of the Tragedy
An eyewitness to the Yamuna Expressway pile-up provided harrowing details of the incident, stating that vehicles caught fire around 4 am. The witness, who was sleeping when the accident occurred, described the chaotic scene: “I was sleeping when the accident occurred. The bus was fully occupied. All the seats were full,” he told reporters, indicating that the buses were carrying their maximum passenger capacity at the time of the collision.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
Emergency services responded swiftly to the Yamuna Expressway pile-up scene. A dozen fire tenders were dispatched to control the blaze that engulfed multiple vehicles following the collision. The fire has since been brought under control by firefighting teams who worked diligently to prevent further damage and casualties.
Additionally, 14 ambulances arrived at the Yamuna Expressway pile-up location to transfer injured victims to the nearest medical facility. The injured were transported to the Community Health Centre in Baldev, where they are receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the accident and subsequent fire.
Chief Minister’s Response and Compensation
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate notice of the Yamuna Expressway pile-up and dispatched rescue officials to the scene to coordinate emergency operations. Demonstrating governmental support for affected families, the Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
Furthermore, following the Yamuna Expressway pile-up, the Chief Minister issued directives ensuring that injured victims receive the best possible medical treatment. This includes access to necessary medical resources and specialized care to aid in their recovery from injuries sustained during the collision and fire.
Pattern of Winter Fog-Related Accidents
The Yamuna Expressway pile-up is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of accidents occurring due to low visibility conditions that persist during winter in northern India. Dense fog has become a recurring hazard on expressways and highways throughout the region, significantly compromising road safety.
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Just one day before the Yamuna Expressway pile-up, another massive pile-up occurred on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Nuh on Monday. That incident involved 18 vehicles in a chain reaction collision. National Highways Authority of India officials reported that the chain reaction began when a passenger bus rammed into a dumper truck amid near-zero visibility conditions caused by fog.
Safety Concerns and Preventive Measures
The Yamuna Expressway pile-up raises serious questions about highway safety protocols during adverse weather conditions. The recurrence of such accidents during foggy conditions suggests an urgent need for enhanced safety measures, including improved warning systems, speed restrictions during low visibility periods, and better driver awareness programs.
Authorities may need to consider implementing mandatory speed limits during fog conditions, installing advanced fog detection systems, and creating dedicated fog safety zones along the Yamuna Expressway pile-up prone areas. Additionally, ensuring proper spacing between vehicles and mandatory use of fog lights could help prevent similar tragedies.
Impact on Families and Community
The Yamuna Expressway pile-up has left four families grieving and 25 others dealing with injuries and trauma. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life on highways during winter months and the critical importance of cautious driving during adverse weather conditions.
As rescue operations concluded at the Yamuna Expressway pile-up site, the focus shifted to supporting affected families and implementing measures to prevent such devastating accidents in the future. The tragedy underscores the need for collective responsibility in ensuring road safety during hazardous weather conditions.
