An Indian Army soldier was among two people killed after a speeding SUV crashed into a tree and overturned in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district late on Tuesday night. The tragic accident also left two others seriously injured, prompting a rescue operation by local police and emergency responders.
According to police, the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of Bagad Police Station when the SUV reportedly lost control, rammed into a tree and overturned. The impact caused extensive damage to the vehicle, trapping all four occupants inside.
The deceased were identified as Havildar Rakesh Kumar (36), an Indian Army soldier and resident of Kolsiya village in Nawalgarh, and Nitin (22), a resident of the Old Housing Board Colony. Both were found trapped in the front seats of the severely damaged vehicle.
The injured, identified as Ajay Kumar (25) of Jhunjhunu and Sakshak Sihag, a resident of Singhana currently living in Jaipur, sustained serious injuries in the crash. They were initially taken to BDK Hospital before being referred to Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur for advanced medical treatment.
According to family members, the four friends had been travelling late at night to drop Nitin near Chirawa when the accident occurred. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be established.
Station House Officer Mukesh Kumar said that a police patrol team rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the accident. As the occupants were trapped inside the mangled vehicle, rescue personnel used heavy equipment, including a JCB excavator and a crane, to extricate the victims.
After the rescue operation, the bodies of the deceased were shifted to the government hospital mortuary. Following the completion of legal formalities and post-mortem procedures, the bodies were handed over to their families.
Family members alleged that the SUV’s airbags failed to deploy despite the severity of the impact, claiming that this may have contributed to the fatalities. The allegation is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
Police have initiated an inquiry to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident, including factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions and the mechanical condition of the SUV.
The death of Havildar Rakesh Kumar has brought an additional sense of loss to the local community, with the soldier having served the nation in the Indian Army. Authorities continue to investigate the incident while the two injured occupants remain under medical care.
