A fatal collision on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway on Friday evening left three members of one family dead and two people critically injured, police said.

The crash occurred near Purena Hau village in the Zabera police station area when a car and a bus collided head-on. Police identified the deceased as 20-year-old Akhilesh Prajapati, his mother Sona Prajapati and his maternal uncle Natthu Prajapati. The car’s passenger, 20-year-old Reena Sahu, and the driver Rashid Khan were rushed to hospital; both are in serious condition and were later referred to Jabalpur for specialised treatment.

Initial inquiries indicate Akhilesh had driven to Katni with his relatives to take Reena with him; the couple had reportedly agreed to marry and a wedding chunri was found in the vehicle. Local police said Akhilesh and Reena had met via social media and decided to elope to Sagar to formalise their relationship.

Police believe speed and haste played a role. “It appears the car was travelling at high speed, possibly due to fear of being intercepted or in a bid to reach the destination quickly,” a senior officer said. Near Purena Hau, the car struck an oncoming bus. The impact was severe and the three occupants in the car died at the spot.

Because Reena was seriously injured, she could not immediately confirm identities; locals initially assumed the dead were her family members. Subsequent identification established the victims were from the Prajapati community while Reena belongs to the Sahu community, prompting police to broaden their probe beyond a routine accident.

Late on Friday night, family members told police that Reena had left home of her own accord and intended to marry Akhilesh. Her relatives declined to lodge any complaint or claim abduction, saying those they might have complained against had died in the crash.

Damoh Superintendent of Police Anand Kaladagi said there was no missing-person or abduction report on file and that Reena is an adult who left voluntarily. The police have registered the case as an unnatural death and are examining CCTV footage, vehicle speeds, and witness statements to determine the exact cause.

Why it matters: The crash puts spotlight on road safety, high-speed driving and the risks young couples face when travelling to marry against family wishes. Three lives ended within seconds; investigators are working to produce a clear factual record for families and the public.