What happened

• The crash occurred around 11am when a Renault Triber carrying six men hit the truck ahead with such force that the car’s front was crushed and several occupants were trapped for about an hour, witnesses and officials said.

• Bystanders and passing motorists began rescue efforts before police and ambulances reached the scene. Emergency crews took considerable time to cut people free from the mangled vehicle. Four passengers were declared dead; two survivors were rushed to hospital in serious condition.

• The truck driver fled the spot after the collision, police added. Investigators are checking CCTV footage from the expressway and nearby cameras, and are using monitoring systems to trace the truck.

Victims and injured
Police identified the deceased as:

• Sachin Gangadhar, son of Ajay Pandurang, resident of Samor, Aurangabad

• Sandeep, son of Navnath Ramrao Borse, resident of Chhatrapati Nagar, Sawangi, Aurangabad

• Rajendra Kowde, son of Bhavaram Kowde, resident of Sambhaji Nagar, Aurangabad

• Ravindra Kale, son of Bhagwat Kale, resident of Shastri Nagar, Sambhaji Nagar, Aurangabad

The injured were named as:

• Abdul Khalil (30), son of Abdul Samad, Aurangabad

• Umar, son of Ismail Jagirdar (32), resident of Gangapur

Police response and probe
Sitamau police said the initial probe indicates the car was travelling at high speed and may have lost control, causing it to collide with the truck. “We are analysing CCTV and expressway monitoring footage to locate the truck and its driver. Preliminary evidence points to excessive speed as a factor,” an officer said.

The truck driver is currently untraced. Officers have informed the victims’ families and expect more relatives to arrive in Mandsaur by late Thursday night or Friday morning; post‑mortem formalities will follow notification and arrival of kin.

Rescue and medical care
Locals and passersby carried out immediate rescue before official teams arrived. The injured were stabilised at Sitamau Community Health Centre; their conditions are described as critical. Authorities are arranging transfers to higher‑care facilities if required.

Why the crash matters
The collision — on a high‑speed corridor designed for heavy traffic — underscores risks when vehicles travel at excessive speeds or if heavy vehicles stall or move unpredictably. The fleeing of the truck driver complicates investigation and raises questions on enforcement and expressway safety protocols.

Next steps

• Police said they would file an FIR after tracing the truck and driver and would take legal action as appropriate.

• Forensic teams will examine vehicle damage, skid marks and CCTV to reconstruct exact events.

• Officials also plan to review expressway footage for possible preventive lessons, including signage, speed limits enforcement and emergency response timings.

What families and witnesses say
Family members have been informed and are expected to reach Mandsaur to identify bodies and complete legal procedures. Witnesses described a scene of shattered metal and frantic rescue work, noting that the impact was so severe several occupants remained trapped for nearly an hour before being extricated.

Authorities asked anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage to come forward to help trace the fleeing truck and assist the probe. Further details, including the formal FIR, cause of death certificates and condition updates of the injured, are awaited as investigations continue.