Four members of a family, including two sisters and two young girls, were killed in a tragic road accident on the Durg–Raipur National Highway (NH-53) in Chhattisgarh on Thursday morning after their scooter rammed into a parked tractor loaded with oxygen cylinders. An eight-year-old boy sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur.

The accident occurred in the Kumhari police station area between 10:00 am and 10:30 am, police said.

Family Was Travelling to Visit Relatives

According to police, five members of the same family were travelling on a scooter from Somni, Bhilai-3 to Basant Vihar in Raipur to visit their maternal relatives.

The victims have been identified as Amrita Nirmalkar (28), her younger sister Laxmi Nirmalkar (26), Amrita's seven-year-old daughter Yachna, and four-year-old Dali. Amrita's eight-year-old son Bhavesh survived the crash but suffered serious injuries and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at AIIMS Raipur.

Police said the scooter collided with the rear of a tractor-trolley carrying oxygen cylinders that was parked along the roadside. The impact was so severe that four occupants died at the scene.

Birthday Celebration Turned Into Tragedy

The accident has left the family devastated. According to Lokesh Nirmalkar, Amrita's husband, the family had celebrated daughter Yachna's birthday on July 14, just two days before the tragedy.

The following day, they planned a visit to relatives in Raipur, but the journey ended in a fatal accident on the highway.

Police Detain Tractor Driver

Police have seized the tractor involved in the accident and taken its driver, Bhola Yadav, into custody for questioning. The bodies have been sent to Supela Mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Officials said further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, including whether the parked vehicle complied with highway safety norms.

Eyewitnesses Raise Questions

Some eyewitnesses alleged that a convoy of political leaders was passing through the highway around the time of the accident and claimed police personnel were occupied with protocol duties, delaying the emergency response.

However, police have not officially confirmed these allegations, and no statement has been issued linking the convoy to the response time. The claims remain under investigation.

Road Safety Concerns Resurface

The accident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety, particularly the risks posed by stationary heavy vehicles on highways. It also underscores the dangers of carrying multiple passengers on two-wheelers, especially children, on high-speed roads.

Authorities are expected to examine whether adequate warning signs or safety measures were in place around the parked tractor.