Three people were killed and six others injured after four motorcycles were involved in a major collision on the Kanwar route in Haridwar district late Friday night. The accident occurred on the Kaliyar road, commonly known as the Kanwar Patri, amid darkness and rain that reduced visibility, according to police officials.
The incident took place along the Ganga canal stretch in the Kaliyar area. Police said the accident began when two motorcycles travelling in opposite directions collided head-on. Two other motorcycles approaching from behind then crashed into the vehicles involved in the initial collision, turning the incident into a chain-reaction accident.
The impact left several motorcycle riders on the road and caused serious injuries. Emergency teams from the Civil Lines and Kaliyar police stations were dispatched after information about the crash reached authorities. Police personnel, with assistance from others at the scene, began rescue and relief operations.
Three Young Men Killed
Police identified the deceased as 18-year-old Ayan from Bijauli, 24-year-old Raju Singh from Rehmatpur and 22-year-old Rajeev Singh from Saharanpur.
The bodies were taken for postmortem examinations as police began completing the required legal procedures. Authorities also informed the families of the deceased following identification.
The accident has caused concern because the Kanwar route remains heavily used during the pilgrimage season, when large numbers of devotees and other travellers use roads connecting Haridwar with surrounding areas.
Six People Injured
Six people sustained injuries in the collision and were taken for medical treatment. Among them, 24-year-old Aditya Chandra, a resident of Khanjanpur, was reported to be critically injured.
After receiving initial treatment at Roorkee Civil Hospital, Chandra was referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for further treatment because of the severity of his condition.
The condition of the remaining injured people was being monitored by medical personnel.
Darkness and Rain Made Conditions Difficult
According to police, poor visibility caused by darkness and rain was an important factor surrounding the accident. The first collision reportedly occurred between two motorcycles travelling in opposite directions. The two motorcycles that followed were unable to avoid the crash and subsequently collided with the vehicles already involved.
Such chain-reaction crashes can become particularly dangerous on roads carrying several two-wheelers, as riders have limited time to react when an accident occurs directly ahead of them.
Police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials are expected to establish the precise sequence of events and determine whether factors such as speed, visibility, road conditions or other circumstances contributed to the collision.
Safety Concerns on Kanwar Routes
The accident comes during a period when roads in and around Haridwar experience increased movement because of the Kanwar pilgrimage. With large numbers of devotees travelling through the region, traffic management and road safety become particularly important.
The incident also highlights the risks faced by two-wheeler riders travelling at night, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Reduced visibility can make it difficult for motorists to judge the speed and direction of approaching vehicles or identify obstacles on the road in time.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of cautious driving, maintaining safe distances and exercising additional care during periods of heavy traffic and poor weather.
For now, police are continuing with the investigation while the injured remain under medical care. The deaths of three young men in the crash have added to concerns over road safety on busy routes in the Haridwar region.