In a heartbreaking incident, an accident claims lives of two young brothers in Utawad village, Punjab. Ayan, 11, and Ahsan, 9, died instantly when a speeding car hit them as they crossed the road near their school. Their younger brother Arjan, 7, survived but sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at PGIMS Rohtak.
According to their father, Sahabuddin, the boys were returning home from Gariba Public School when tragedy struck. The car, driven by Narender, a head constable from Nuh, came at high speed and caused the fatal crash.
Eyewitnesses reported that Narender tried to flee the scene. Villagers quickly chased him and stopped his car about 500 meters away. They surrounded him and called the police, who took him into custody. Locals accused Narender of driving under the influence of alcohol, though confirmation will come only after medical tests.
Police have registered a case against Narender based on the family’s complaint. They also seized the car and sent the bodies of Ayan and Ahsan for postmortem. Inspector Renu, SHO of Utawad police station, stated that the final confirmation of alcohol consumption will depend on the report.
This tragedy exposes once again Punjab’s troubling record on road safety. In 2022, the state reported 1,385 accidental deaths, with many involving children. Punjab also ranked third nationally for road accidents in 2021, with speeding and impaired driving as leading causes.
Even though Chandigarh is considered one of India’s safest cities, road accidents remain a pressing issue in Punjab. According to NCRB data, child fatalities from road accidents continue to rise, placing Punjab among the top five states in this category.
Families and communities are now demanding change. They want stricter enforcement of traffic laws and safer conditions for children walking to school. Increased police patrols near schools, speed control measures, and awareness campaigns are urgently needed.
Schools also have a role to play. Educating children about crossing roads safely can save lives. Parents and communities must remain alert and work together to remind drivers to slow down near schools and playgrounds.
The loss of Ayan and Ahsan is a tragedy that should never have happened. It is a painful reminder that every driver has a responsibility to follow traffic rules and respect human life.
As this case progresses, families in Punjab demand justice and long-term safety measures. Ultimately, the story of how an accident claims lives of two young brothers underlines the urgent need for change on India’s roads.
