Three people were killed early Sunday after an unidentified vehicle ran them over while they were out on their morning walk in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district. The driver fled the scene after the crash, and police are now trying to identify the vehicle.

The accident took place on the Bharatmala road passing through Dongri-Korbi village in Baloda police station limits, between 4 am and 5 am. The victims were identified as Dilharan Das Vaishnav, 62, Kedar Yadav, 52, and Santu Yadav, 70.

Police said all three were friends and used to go for morning walks together. Vaishnav had retired as a branch manager from a cooperative society, while Yadav and Santu Yadav were farmers. The three had walked about 2 km from home when they were hit.

Their bodies were found scattered across the road, around 5 to 10 metres apart, after the impact. Locals gathered at the spot soon after the incident and informed the police.

Officers reached the scene, completed the inquest and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Police are now scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area to trace the vehicle and identify the driver. A case has been registered, and search teams are working to track down the accused.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety on high-speed corridors, especially during early-morning hours when visibility is low and traffic is sparse. Residents said the victims were part of a regular walking group and had no reason to expect such a fatal crash.

Three Youths Killed in Head-On Bike Collision Near Hanotiya in Chhindwara

Two speeding motorcycles collided head-on near Hanotiya village under Junnardeo police station late Sunday evening, claiming the lives of three young riders and leaving another critically injured. The tragic accident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with residents pointing to reckless speeding as the primary cause.

The incident occurred on the road close to the Hanotiya Community Health Centre. According to preliminary police information, both bikes were carrying two riders each and were moving at high speed in opposite directions when they crashed violently. The impact was so severe that two youths died on the spot, while the third succumbed to injuries during treatment at Junnardeo hospital.

 Fatal Crash Claims Young Lives

The deceased have been identified as 20-year-old Chandrabhan Yadav, 15-year-old Chaman Yadav, and 20-year-old Sonu Uike. Chaman, a minor, was among those who lost their lives in the collision. The fourth rider, whose identity is yet to be officially released, is undergoing treatment for serious injuries.

Local residents who rushed to the spot described a chaotic scene with mangled motorcycles and injured youths lying on the road. Prompt action by bystanders helped in alerting emergency services. The 108 ambulance pilot Ashok Malvi along with Dial 112 team including pilot Shiv Amravati and Head Constable Dilip Upadhyay reached the location quickly and shifted the victims to the hospital. 

Doctors at the Junnardeo facility, including Dr. Prachi Sahu, provided immediate medical care, but one of the youths could not be saved due to the extent of his injuries.

 Speeding Blamed for Deadly Smash-Up

Initial investigations by Junnardeo police suggest that over-speeding was the main reason behind the accident. The stretch near Hanotiya is reportedly used by riders for fast travel, raising concerns about road safety in the area. Police officials have registered a case under relevant sections and initiated further probe to determine if any other factors, such as road conditions or mechanical failure, contributed to the tragedy.

No formal statements have been issued by senior police officers yet, but sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination and efforts are underway to inform and support the grieving families.

 Community Mourns Loss of Young SoulsThe deaths have left families devastated, particularly that of 15-year-old Chaman Yadav. In rural parts of Chhindwara, such accidents involving young motorcycle riders are becoming distressingly common, often linked to lack of enforcement of traffic rules and limited awareness about road safety among youth.

Locals expressed anguish over the incident, with many calling for stricter patrolling and installation of speed breakers on vulnerable stretches. Similar accidents in the past have highlighted the need for better infrastructure and stricter licensing norms for two-wheeler riders in the district.

 Police Investigation Underway

Junnardeo police have started collecting evidence from the spot, including statements of eyewitnesses. The mangled remains of the motorcycles have been seized for technical examination. Authorities are also examining CCTV footage, if available in the vicinity, to reconstruct the sequence of events.

District administration is expected to review road safety measures in the Junnardeo region following this latest fatality. Officials indicated that awareness drives and enforcement actions against over-speeding could be intensified in the coming days.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of reckless driving, especially on district roads where emergency response times can be critical. As the families prepare to cremate their loved ones, the community hopes that this tragedy leads to meaningful steps that prevent such loss of young lives in the future.

Three Friends Killed in Balod Crash

A high-speed collision between a car and a bike in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district claimed the lives of three young men late Friday night. The impact was so severe that one victim’s severed leg was found nearly 50 metres away from the main crash site.

The accident took place around 10 pm in the Khairidih village area, which falls under the Doundilohara police station limits. The three friends – identified as Tarun Yadav (20), Rahul Sevta (20), and Narendra Bhuarya (21) – were travelling on a single bike towards Doundi Lohara for some work.

A Brutal Head-On Collision

According to initial reports, a speeding car with registration number CG 04 QB 5621 was heading towards Rajnandgaon from the opposite direction. Witnesses told local police that the car hit the bike head-on.

The force of the crash threw all three young men far across the road. Tarun’s hand was severed from his body. Rahul, who was sitting at the back, lost his leg. The limb was flung into a roadside field and was only found on Saturday morning by villagers around 8 am. Narendra sustained severe deep wounds on his body.

Scene Shocks Local Residents

The bike was completely destroyed. The front portion of the car was also badly damaged. Local residents who reached the spot described the scene as extremely grim.

“Two of them died instantly. The third, Rahul, was still alive but in terrible condition when we got there,” a source familiar with the ground situation said. Police arrived after being notified and rushed the injured to a nearby hospital. However, Rahul succumbed to his injuries while being treated. Doctors declared all three dead upon arrival at the facility.

Police Investigation Underway

Doundilohara TI Sunil Tirkee confirmed that the accident appears to have been caused by high speed and negligence. “The youths were coming to Doundilohara. The car occupants were returning from Dalli Rajhara to Rajnandgaon,” he explained.

Officials have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination. They will be handed over to the families once the legal and medical processes are complete.

Questions Over Alcohol Use

Police have not yet confirmed whether the car driver or the bike riders were under the influence of alcohol. “Whether they were intoxicated or not will only be clear after the post-mortem report arrives,” TI Tirkee added.

The legal process is ongoing. No arrests have been reported so far, though officials said a full investigation is underway into the sequence of events leading up to the crash.

The incident has once again brought attention to road safety on Chhattisgarh’s state highways, where late-night speeding remains a persistent concern. Local residents have called for stricter patrolling in the area, particularly after dark.

4 Killed as Car Plunges into Fonk River in Chhattisgarh's Kawardha 

Six youths from Raipur heading to a wedding in Pandariya lost control of their vehicle near Pandatarai, sending the car tumbling 30 feet into the river late on Sunday night. 

A tragic road accident in Kabirdham district claimed the lives of four young men when their speeding car veered off balance and plunged into the Fonk river under the Pandatarai police station limits. Two others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.

The incident occurred late on Sunday night near Gandai area on the route to Pandariya. According to initial reports, the group of six friends from Birgaon in Raipur was travelling to attend a wedding ceremony when the vehicle lost control, possibly after hitting a pothole or due to excessive speed. The car overturned and fell nearly 30 feet into the river below.

Deadly plunge from the bridge

Local residents who reached the spot first described a chaotic scene. The car was badly mangled after the fall. Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud noise and rushed to help. Some youths were trapped inside the submerged or partially submerged vehicle while others were thrown out. 

Villagers immediately began rescue efforts, pulling out the injured before police and emergency services arrived. The deceased were declared dead on the spot. 

Victims en route to wedding function

All six were reportedly friends or acquaintances excited about the wedding celebrations in Pandariya. Police sources confirmed they had set off from Birgaon earlier in the evening. The journey turned fatal in the darkness as the vehicle approached the bridge over the Fonk river. 

The exact cause is still under investigation. Preliminary assessment points to a combination of high speed and poor road conditions, though officials have not ruled out mechanical failure or driver fatigue. 

Injured shifted to Raipur

The two survivors, battling serious injuries, were first taken to a local hospital in Kawardha. Doctors later referred them to a better-equipped facility in Raipur for advanced treatment. Their condition remains critical, according to hospital sources. 

Families of the victims have been informed and are making their way to Kawardha. A pall of gloom has descended on Birgaon, where the news spread rapidly, leaving relatives and neighbours in shock. 

Police recover vehicle, launch probe

Pandatarai police reached the spot promptly after receiving information from locals. Teams worked through the night to retrieve the damaged car from the riverbed. Officers conducted a preliminary inspection and registered a case of accidental death. 

“Post-mortem of the deceased will be conducted and bodies handed over to families after formalities,” a police official said. The vehicle has been seized for further examination. 

Authorities are examining the road stretch for any hazards and have begun questioning possible witnesses. No other vehicles are reported to be involved in the crash. 

Rising concern over road safety

This latest tragedy comes amid recurring road accidents in the region, many involving young travellers on highways and district roads connecting Raipur to rural areas in Kabirdham. Poor lighting, narrow bridges, and potholes continue to pose risks, especially during night travel.

Local residents have often highlighted the need for better road maintenance and safety barriers near river crossings. Officials said they would review the site for possible improvements. 

As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the grieving families and ensuring the injured receive the best possible care. The incident has once again underscored the importance of cautious driving and road infrastructure upgrades in Chhattisgarh’s hinterland.