A tragic road accident claimed the lives of four individuals late Tuesday night on the Rishikesh–Haridwar highway when a high-speed Mahindra XUV500 SUV violently collided with a stationary truck. The devastating impact occurred near the Mansa Devi railway crossing in Haridwar, leaving the SUV severely crushed and embedded under the larger vehicle. Preliminary reports indicate that excessive speed contributed significantly to the fatal outcome.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the SUV had been aggressively overtaking multiple vehicles prior to the crash. According to statements provided to authorities, the driver abruptly swerved to the left in an apparent attempt to avoid an animal on the roadway, resulting in loss of control. The vehicle then slammed directly into the rear of the parked truck, transforming the SUV into a mangled wreckage in a matter of seconds.

Emergency response teams from Rishikesh Kotwali, Shyampur, and IDPL police outposts were promptly dispatched following alerts from the control room. Rescue operations involved the deployment of heavy-duty cranes and specialized cutting equipment to extricate the victims from the entangled debris. Despite swift efforts, all four occupants were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

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Authorities have identified two of the deceased as Dheeraj Jaiswal, aged 30, and Hariom, aged 22, both residents of Rishikesh. Identification processes for the remaining two victims are ongoing, with police conducting thorough examinations of the scene and gathering additional evidence to determine the exact sequence of events.

The incident has prompted renewed concerns over road safety on this busy highway stretch, as investigations continue into factors such as speeding, visibility conditions, and potential animal crossings. Officials are urging motorists to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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