Four people, including three children, were killed in a devastating road accident in Haryana’s Nuh district after a speeding truck collided with a motorcycle carrying a family of six, police said. The crash took place late Tuesday night on the Nuh-Tauru road.

The victims were travelling on a motorcycle when the truck struck them near Maria Manzil School at around 11pm. According to police, the impact caused the motorcycle to fall onto the road, while the truck continued moving and dragged several of the victims for nearly 80 to 90 metres.

The deceased were identified as 32-year-old Mohammad Shakir, his one-and-a-half-month-old daughter Zahra, his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Sajra and his five-year-old niece Gazala. Shakir’s wife, 25-year-old Nasreen, survived the crash but suffered critical injuries.

Nasreen was taken to Shaheed Hasan Khan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nalhar, where she is receiving treatment.

Family was returning after attending a function

Police said Shakir, who worked as an Urdu language teacher at a madrasa in Tauru, was returning home with his wife and four children after attending a family function at a relative’s house in Tauru.

The family was travelling along the narrow, single-lane road when the truck approached them. Investigators said the heavy vehicle was allegedly travelling at around 80-90 kmph when it collided with the motorcycle.

The collision threw Nasreen towards the roadside. Shakir and the three children fell onto the road along with the motorcycle and were subsequently run over by the truck.

Police said none of the people travelling on the motorcycle were wearing helmets.

Truck continued moving after collision

According to police, the truck did not stop immediately after striking the motorcycle. The victims and the damaged motorcycle were dragged along the road for approximately 80 to 90 metres, resulting in fatal injuries to Shakir and the three children.

City police station house officer Ajit Singh said the four victims died at the spot. The force of the collision also left the motorcycle badly damaged, with the vehicle breaking into several pieces.

The accident was captured by a CCTV camera installed at a nearby shop, police said. The footage is expected to form part of the investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Driver abandoned truck and fled

After the accident, commuters alerted the police and emergency response teams reached the location. Traffic on the road was disrupted for nearly an hour as authorities dealt with the aftermath of the collision.

Police said the truck driver abandoned the vehicle approximately one kilometre away from the accident site and escaped on foot. The truck was subsequently seized by investigators.

Authorities are working to identify and locate the driver. Police said he is expected to be arrested as the investigation progresses.

The bodies of the four deceased were taken to the government hospital in Nalhar. Post-mortem examinations were conducted on Wednesday, following which the bodies were handed over to their family members.

FIR registered against unidentified driver

An FIR has been registered at Nuh City police station against the unidentified truck driver. Police have invoked Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to causing death by negligence, and Section 281 concerning rash driving.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage, the condition of the truck and motorcycle, and other available evidence to establish the precise circumstances leading to the crash.

The accident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by motorists and pedestrians on narrow roads where heavy vehicles travel at high speeds, although the police investigation will determine the specific causes and circumstances of this particular collision.