Five people from Gujarat, including a woman constable, lost their lives when their SUV collided with a road divider on a national highway near Gurthari village in Punjab’s Bathinda district on Saturday, police confirmed. The victims were traveling from Bathinda to Dabwali when the accident occurred.

The injured were immediately rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda, but authorities declared all five occupants brought dead upon arrival. The victims were aged between 25 and 30 years, and authorities identified them as Satish, Bharat, Arjun, Janak, and Amita, with Amita serving as a constable in the Gujarat police force.

Police said the family members of the deceased have been informed, and the bodies have been sent to Civil Hospital in Bathinda for post-mortem procedures. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing, with officials examining whether speed, road conditions, or vehicle malfunction contributed to the tragedy.

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Officials added that the SUV hit the divider at high speed, causing severe damage to the vehicle and leaving little chance for survival. Witnesses at the scene reported a loud impact and immediately alerted emergency services, but help arrived too late to save the passengers.

Authorities have urged travelers to exercise caution on highways, particularly at night and on stretches with road dividers, highlighting the need for stricter road safety measures. The local administration is coordinating with Gujarat authorities to assist the families with travel and post-accident formalities.

This incident marks another reminder of road safety risks on national highways, emphasizing the importance of careful driving, vehicle maintenance, and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic accidents.

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