In Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, four friends narrowly escaped a potentially fatal incident when their car, following Google Maps directions, plunged into a pond. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 21, 2025, under the Sarsawa police station limits.
The group of friends, identified as Surya, Aditya, Anuj, and Ashutosh, were students at Meerut University. They were en route from Meerut to Ambala to visit the Maharishi Markandeshwar temple in Shahabad late Wednesday evening and were using Google Maps for navigation. While approaching Sirohi Palace, the car veered off course and ended up in a pond.
According to local SHO Vinod Kumar, the occupants of the Brezza managed to escape the sinking vehicle through the windows. They immediately contacted the police. Fortunately, none of them sustained any injuries. The car floated approximately 50 meters into the pond before being retrieved. The police arranged for the vehicle to be pulled out with the help of a mechanic. After the car was examined, the friends were allowed to continue to their destination.
Following the incident, authorities have urged travelers to exercise caution and not rely solely on digital navigation systems. SHO Vinod Kumar emphasized that while Google Maps can be a useful tool, it's essential to have an alternative plan.
This is not an isolated incident. There have been similar instances where Google Maps has allegedly provided inaccurate directions, leading to accidents. In December 2024, two cars crashed in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, after Google Maps directed drivers onto an unfinished highway. Six people were injured in that incident, with two requiring hospitalization. Victims blamed the local authorities for the lack of reflective signs and indicators on the unfinished road. In another incident in December 2024, three passengers traveling in Bareilly had a narrow escape when their car fell into a canal after following Google Maps directions on a washed-out section of road. In November 2024, three people died in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district when their car, guided by Google Maps, plunged off an under-construction flyover into the Ramganga River.
These incidents raise concerns about the reliability of GPS navigation, particularly in areas with rapidly changing infrastructure or incomplete mapping data. It also highlights the importance of having proper signage and safety measures in place on roads and construction sites. Google has responded to past incidents by offering condolences and stating that they are working with authorities to investigate the issues.
