A tragic road accident on the Gorakhpur-Varanasi National Highway has claimed the lives of four young men. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning near Barhalganj, involved a high-speed collision between a motorcycle and a speeding SUV. The devastating impact of the crash was captured on CCTV footage, revealing the horrific sequence of events.

According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, the four men were traveling on a single motorcycle when the accident occurred around 9:45 am. The victims, identified as Sunil Kumar, Pradyumn Kumar, Arvind Kumar, and Rahul Kumar, were all residents of Garthauli Tola in Sidhwapar Gram Sabha. They were en route to Gorakhpur city, reportedly working as painters.

The CCTV footage shows the motorcycle attempting to overtake a tractor-trolley when it collided head-on with an oncoming SUV. The SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed, and the impact of the collision was catastrophic.

The footage captured the horrifying aftermath. Two of the bike riders were flung nearly 20 feet into the air due to the force of the impact. The other two individuals became trapped on the bonnet of the car and were dragged for approximately 100 meters before the vehicle finally came to a stop. The car driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Local villagers rushed to the scene of the accident and promptly informed the police and the families of the victims. The injured were transported to the community health center. Upon arrival, doctors pronounced Sunil, Pradyumn, and Arvind dead. Rahul was referred to the district hospital in critical condition but tragically succumbed to his injuries en route.

Family members and neighbors have shared that Sunil, Pradyumn, and Rahul were cousins, while Arvind was a close friend who had recently returned from Bengaluru. Rahul, the only son of his parents, was scheduled to be engaged on June 1st. Sunil leaves behind two young daughters.

The police have taken both vehicles into custody and have launched an investigation into the accident. Preliminary findings suggest that excessive speed and reckless driving were contributing factors. Authorities are working to locate the driver of the SUV who fled the scene.

This devastating incident underscores the critical importance of road safety and adherence to traffic regulations. The loss of four young lives in such a preventable manner serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of negligent driving. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, obey speed limits, and prioritize the safety of themselves and others while on the road.