KKN Gurugram Desk | A devastating road accident on the Jhansi-Kanpur National Highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Orai district has claimed six lives, including a three-month-old infant. The victims, all members of a single extended family, were traveling from Uttar Pradesh to Bengaluru by car when the accident occurred in the Girthan area under Ait police station limits.

The vehicle, reportedly a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, was being driven at approximately 140 km/h when the driver is believed to have dozed off, leading to a fatal collision. Despite airbag deployment, the force of the crash was so severe that they offered no protection.

 The Accident: A Journey Turned Tragic

The family was on a long-distance journey of nearly 2,000 kilometers from their village in Bahraich district to Bengaluru, Karnataka. The plan was to stop in Ujjain to visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple before reaching their final destination.

According to police reports, the driver, Dr. Brijesh Verma, a practicing physician and a native of Khairighat’s Ikghara village, lost control of the car after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel. The vehicle veered off-road and slammed into a divider at high speed around midnight.

Who Was Dr. Brijesh Verma?

Dr. Brijesh, the main planner behind the road trip, was well-known in his village for his affable nature. He had returned to Bahraich only four days earlier to bring back his wife and children to Bengaluru. Villagers recall how he had spent the morning of his departure greeting everyone in what now feels like a final farewell.

According to his relatives, Dr. Brijesh insisted on traveling at night despite suggestions to start in the morning. The fatal accident occurred just hours after their departure from Lucknow.

 The Victims: A Family Torn Apart

Among those who died in the accident were:

• Dr. Brijesh Verma – the driver

• Sangeeta – wife of Ankit, Brijesh’s brother-in-law

• Siddhika (3 months) – daughter of Ankit and Sangeeta

• Vinita alias Manda – Sangeeta’s unmarried sister

• One other female relative (yet to be formally identified)

• One more casualty from the rear seat

Two survivors, Ankit (Brijesh’s brother-in-law) and a young boy named Kanha, are currently being treated at Regency Hospital in Kanpur and are said to be in critical condition.

 Infant Dies in Mother’s Arms

One of the most heart-wrenching details to emerge from the incident was the death of baby Siddhika, who was asleep in her mother Sangeeta’s arms at the time of the accident. The sudden impact claimed both their lives instantly. They were seated in the rear of the car, where the impact was most severe.

 Survivors Speak: “We Were Trapped, Begging for Help”

Survivor Ankit, who sat in the front passenger seat, recounted the horrifying ordeal. He told police that after the crash, he found himself trapped in the mangled vehicle, pleading for someone to rescue the children.

Despite his desperate cries, help arrived only after a significant delay. The local police and emergency teams used a metal cutter to extract the survivors and deceased from the wreckage.

 Speeding and Sleep Deprivation: The Deadly Duo

According to the investigating officers, the car was being driven at approximately 140 km/h. Though the airbags deployed, the force of impact ruptured them, rendering them ineffective. Police stated that if the airbags had remained intact, the rear-seat passengers might have survived.

This tragic event highlights a critical issue: the combination of high-speed driving and driver fatigue is often lethal, especially on highways during nighttime travel.

 Traffic Snarls and Emergency Response

Following the accident, a massive traffic jam developed on the highway as emergency response teams arrived. The rescue and clearance operation lasted over two hours. A crane was used to move the wrecked vehicle off the road to restore traffic flow.

Fortunately, as it was early morning, traffic volume was low, preventing further escalation.

 Community Steps Up: Social Workers Assist

Local social workers and community leaders played a vital role in the aftermath. With the victims’ relatives still on their way from Bahraich (nearly 400 km away), locals including Aleem, Mamta Swarnkar, and Lakshman Das Babani helped initiate legal procedures and hospital coordination.

Their swift action ensured that the bodies were preserved, documentation completed, and survivors admitted for immediate care.

 Unfulfilled Dreams: Mahakal Visit Left Behind

The family had planned a spiritual stop at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This trip was meant to be both religious and leisurely. The victims had hoped to reach Ujjain first before continuing on to Bengaluru.

The tragic accident not only cut short lives but also dreams, memories, and plans that will now remain unfulfilled.

 What Went Wrong: A Cautionary Tale

This accident underscores several critical lessons for all travelers:

1. Avoid Night Driving

Despite lower traffic, night driving is riskier due to low visibility and sleep-related fatigue.

2. Always Take Breaks on Long Trips

Drivers should switch every few hours and avoid continuous long-distance driving.

3. Maintain Speed Limits

Even on highways, speeds exceeding 100 km/h increase crash impact exponentially.

4. Check Safety Features

While modern cars have airbags, their efficiency is not guaranteed in high-speed collisions. Always ensure seatbelts are worn by all passengers, including those in the backseat.

As this tragic incident shows, no destination is more important than life itself. What was meant to be a joyous road trip for sightseeing and religious devotion ended in grief and irreversible loss.

Families planning road journeys—especially with children—must prioritize safety over urgency. This heartbreaking event should serve as a sobering reminder for all drivers in India: never underestimate the risks of fatigue, over-speeding, and night travel.