Katni, Madhya Pradesh: A tragic road accident occurred late Saturday night in Bilhari, Katni district, when a speeding car lost control, collided with a stationary auto-rickshaw, and plunged into the Laxman Sagar Pond. The mishap claimed the lives of two persons, including a BJP leader, while two others managed to escape by swimming to safety.
Following the incident, police and NDRF teams rushed to the scene and began a rescue operation. After several hours of effort, the vehicle was retrieved from the pond with the help of a crane. Local residents assisted in rescuing the survivors and transporting the injured to the hospital, while the deceased were sent for postmortem. Police have registered a case and started an investigation.
According to reports, the accident took place around 11:30 PM on Saturday. Prashant Nayak (28), BJP Yuva Morcha Mandal President, was returning home to Bilhari from Katni along with his friends Vikas Tiwari (26), Abhishek Chaurasia (26), and Aman Tamrakar (26). Vikas was driving the car when he lost control due to high speed. The car first hit a parked auto-rickshaw and then plunged into the Laxman Sagar Pond.
Both Prashant Nayak and Vikas Tiwari were trapped inside the vehicle and drowned, dying on the spot. However, Abhishek Chaurasia and Aman Tamrakar managed to escape by swimming and immediately informed the police and locals.
Upon receiving the information, Bilhari outpost in-charge Suyash Pandey and his team reached the spot and began rescue operations in the dark. With the help of locals and a crane, the submerged car was pulled out after a strenuous effort. The sudden demise of the young men sent shockwaves through Bilhari village, leaving the community in mourning.
The deceased Prashant Nayak was known as an active and cheerful youth leader, serving as BJP Yuva Morcha Mandal President for the past five years. His family runs a tent business. Vikas Tiwari, on the other hand, worked as a manager at a multinational company in Pune and belonged to a reputed local family of former landlords.
Police have registered a marg (unnatural death) case and initiated a detailed investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that over-speeding and poor night visibility were the primary causes of the accident. The administration has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible assistance.
