A horrific highway collision on Friday morning in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, claims the lives of six friends traveling on a road trip. The devastating crash occurred around 5:30 AM near Chirchari village on the Nagpur-Raipur National Highway when their car reportedly veered across a divider and collided head-on with an oncoming truck. Five of the seven friends, aged 25 to 34, died at the scene, with another succumbing to injuries in the hospital. The lone survivor, the car’s driver, remains critically injured as police investigate the precise cause, with early reports suggesting driver fatigue. This tragic incident highlights urgent road safety concerns.
Terrible Road Accident Claims Six Lives in Rajnandgaon
A tragic road collision in the early hours of Friday, August 15, 2025, on a national highway in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, has resulted in the death of six people. The accident, involving a car and a truck, also left one person seriously injured. The victims were a group of friends on a long journey, highlighting the dangers of extended travel on major roadways.
What Happened in the Early Morning
The severe crash took place around 5:30 AM near Chirchari village, which falls under the Baghnadi police station area. Reports indicate that a car, identified as an Ertiga, was traveling from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, towards Puri in Odisha. There were seven friends inside the car. Preliminary findings suggest that the car veered off its path, crossed the road divider. crashed head-on into a truck coming from the opposite direction. The impact was extremely strong, causing serious damage to the car.
Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg stated, “The accident occurred around 5. 30 am near Chirchari village under Baghnadi police station limits when the victims were heading to neighbouring Odisha.”
Five of the people in the car died at the scene of the accident. Another person, who was also in the car, passed away shortly after being taken to a nearby hospital. The driver of the car suffered very serious injuries and was admitted to the district medical college hospital for urgent care.
Details of Those Involved
The seven friends, all young men aged between 25 and 34 years, had started their journey from Indore. They had also visited Ujjain before continuing their trip towards Puri via Chhattisgarh. This was meant to be a long weekend trip for the group.
Police have identified five of the six people who died in the collision. They are:
- Akash Maurya, 28, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Govind Punamchand, 33, from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.
- Aman Rathore, 26, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Nitin Yadav, 34, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Sangram Kesari, from Neelkantpur, Odisha.
The identity of the sixth person who died is still being confirmed by the authorities. The injured driver is currently receiving medical attention. their condition is critical.
Investigation and Early Findings
Local police quickly arrived at the scene after being informed about the crash. They started rescue operations and took steps to manage the situation on the highway. The bodies of the people who died have been sent for post-mortem examinations as part of the legal process. An investigation into the exact cause of the accident has begun.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of the car might have fallen asleep while driving. This is believed to have caused the vehicle to lose control and veer into the path of the oncoming truck.
Authorities are looking into all possible reasons for the crash. This includes checking the condition of the vehicles, the speed at which they were traveling. the health of the driver at the time of the accident. Such detailed checks are standard procedure in serious road incidents to comprehend what went wrong and prevent future tragedies.
Response and Support from Authorities
Following the accident, police and other emergency services worked to clear the highway and help the injured. The injured driver was quickly taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment. Efforts are being made to inform the families of the victims about the tragic incident. The police department is providing support and necessary insights to the affected families.
A police officer commented on the incident, stating, “Five occupants in the car died on the spot and another succumbed during treatment at a nearby hospital. The driver, who suffered serious injuries, is undergoing treatment at the district medical college hospital.”
The local administration has expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and is looking into ways to support the victims’ families during this difficult time. They are also reviewing road safety measures in the area to prevent similar incidents.
Road Safety on National Highways
This horrific accident serves as a sad reminder of the risks involved in road travel, especially on national highways. Road safety is a major concern in India. According to official reports, a large number of road crashes happen every year, leading to many deaths and injuries.
Consider the following general statistics on road safety in India:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Fatalities (2022) | 1,68,491 people killed in road crashes. |
| Major Cause of Deaths | Speeding accounts for 71. 2% of total road crash deaths. |
| High-Risk Roads | Over half of all road crash deaths occur on national and state highways, even though these make up only about 4. 9% of the total road network. |
| Vulnerable Road Users | Pedestrians, cyclists. motorcyclists make up a large portion of road death victims. |
| Hourly Fatalities | India sees approximately 19 deaths every hour due to road accidents. |
These figures highlight the need for constant attention to road safety rules and driver awareness. Factors such as driver tiredness, speeding. not following traffic rules often lead to severe accidents.
Future Steps and Public Advisory
The ongoing police investigation will provide a clearer picture of the precise events that led to this fatal collision. Authorities will use the findings to consider any necessary improvements or actions regarding road safety in the region. This incident is a stark reminder for all drivers to be careful, follow speed limits. take enough rest during long journeys. Officials consistently advise against driving when tired, especially during night or early morning hours, to prevent losing control of the vehicle. Road safety organizations also continue to raise awareness about safe driving practices to reduce such unfortunate events.
