Ghaziabad: A tragic accident in the early hours of Monday claimed the life of a 48-year-old man after a speeding car broke through the railing of the Rajnagar flyover and plunged nearly 50 feet into the premises of a Public Works Department (PWD) office. His son, who was driving the vehicle, survived with injuries. Police said initial findings indicate the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Father dies as car crashes off flyover
Police said the crash occurred around 3 am when the vehicle lost control, rammed into the flyover railing and plummeted into the PWD office compound. The driver, identified as Prince, believed to be in his mid-twenties, was travelling with his father, Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Jagarati Vihar.
The impact left both men trapped inside the mangled vehicle. Locals who heard the crash rushed to the spot and alerted police. With assistance from residents and rescue personnel, the two were pulled out after significant effort.
Driver suspected to have dozed off
According to officers, preliminary investigation suggests that Prince may have dozed off while driving. There were no skid marks at the spot, indicating that the driver possibly did not attempt to brake before the crash. Officials added that vehicle movement is sparse at that hour, which often leads to overspeeding on the flyover.
CCTV footage from the route and nearby establishments is being examined to establish the exact sequence of events. A mechanical inspection of the vehicle will also be conducted to rule out technical faults.
Son survives, father declared dead
Both men were rushed to a nearby hospital soon after rescue. Doctors declared Rakesh Kumar dead on arrival, while Prince is undergoing treatment for injuries. Police confirmed that he is out of danger and expected to make a full recovery.
The deceased’s body has been sent for postmortem. Once medically stable, Prince’s detailed statement will be recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
Concerns over speeding on the flyover
Residents living near the Rajnagar flyover have raised concerns about frequent incidents of overspeeding, especially at night. Some locals said that inadequate monitoring and insufficient signage have contributed to risky driving behaviour on the stretch.
The flyover connects several key pockets of the city and is heavily used during the day. At night, with lighter traffic, speeding reportedly becomes more common, increasing accident risk.
Police urge safer driving practices
Senior police officials urged motorists to avoid driving while fatigued and to maintain safe speeds, especially on elevated roads where the margin of error is slim. The incident has renewed calls for improved safety measures such as reflective barriers, rumble strips and enhanced patrolling.
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols on the stretch as part of efforts to prevent similar accidents in the future.