A devastating road accident in the Matoda area of Jodhpur district on Sunday night has left the entire region in shock. A traveler vehicle, packed with devotees, crashed into a parked trailer on the roadside, resulting in the tragic death of at least 15 people and serious injuries to 3 to 4 others. The incident occurred near the Hanuman Sagar Bharat Mala Toll on the Bharat Mala Highway, as the passengers were returning to the Sur Sagar area of Jodhpur after visiting Kolayat in Bikaner. The impact of the collision was so severe that the front part of the traveler was completely mangled, leading to the instantaneous death of many passengers.
The Horrific Scene of the Accident
Immediately after the accident, the scene was filled with screams and chaos. A state of panic gripped the entire area as local residents rushed to help. The sound of the collision was so loud that people from nearby areas quickly arrived at the spot. They witnessed the horrific sight of the traveler's front end completely crushed, with trapped occupants groaning in pain. The scene was so gruesome that it sent shivers down the spines of onlookers. Before the police and rescue teams could arrive, locals had already initiated rescue efforts, attempting to pull out the injured and provide them with preliminary aid.
Devotees on a Return Journey
The ill-fated traveler had transported devotees from Jodhpur's Sur Sagar area to a religious site in Kolayat, Bikaner. All the devotees were on their way back home after their pilgrimage when this unfortunate incident occurred, while the purpose of their journey was religious, and all passengers were returning with faith and devotion, but fate had a different plan. All the deceased are reported to be residents of Sur Sagar, Jodhpur district, which has cast a pall of gloom over the area, while families are in mourning, and everyone is stunned by this tragic event.
Cause of the Accident and Eyewitness Accounts
Matoda Police Station Officer Amanaram stated that the traveler was speeding and lost control, leading to the accident, while eyewitness Mahipal Saran provided a detailed account of the incident. He explained that there are small roadside eateries along the Bharat Mala Highway, and a truck was parked in front of one such dhaba. The high-speed tempo traveler was moving in its lane, while while attempting to overtake another truck from the third lane, the traveler suddenly collided with the truck parked on the roadside. This attempt to overtake at high speed appears to be the primary cause. Of this horrific accident, which resulted in such a large loss of life.
Police and Rescue Operations
Upon receiving information about the accident, Matoda Police Station Officer Amanaram, along with his police team, immediately reached the scene. With the help of local residents, the police extricated the injured from the severely damaged traveler. After receiving primary treatment, all seriously injured individuals were promptly referred to Jodhpur for better medical facilities. The police team played a crucial role in maintaining order at the scene and ensuring the smooth conduct of rescue operations. Ambulances were quickly arranged to transport the injured to the hospital, and the police ensured they received medical attention as soon as possible.
Damaged Vehicle and Investigation Orders
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the road accident in Phalodi, Jodhpur. He immediately instructed the Collector, SP, and other officials over the phone, while the Chief Minister directed that a green corridor be created for the injured to be transported to the hospital without delay and that they receive the best possible treatment. Similarly, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar also posted on X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences over the tragic incident. He wrote that the news of the road accident near Hanuman Sagar Bharat Mala Toll in Matoda, Lohawat, was extremely sad and heartbreaking. He instructed the concerned administrative officials to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and directed medical superintendents to refer the injured to Jodhpur for immediate and appropriate medical care. He prayed for the peace of the departed souls and stated that they stand with the affected families in this time of grief. These high-level directives ensured that there were no shortcomings in the rescue and relief efforts and that the injured received timely treatment.
The collision was so severe that the front part of the. Traveler was completely destroyed, making it difficult to even identify the vehicle. The police began the task of clearing the road by removing the damaged vehicles. A thorough investigation into this accident has been ordered to prevent such incidents in the future. The police are trying to ascertain whether the trailer parked on the roadside was improperly parked or if the negligence of the traveler driver was the sole cause. Only after the investigation will all aspects behind this tragic accident be revealed. This incident has once again raised serious questions about adherence to road safety rules and the dangers of speeding.
