Devastating Sunday: How a Routine Journey Turned into Disaster
A journey meant for the weekend turned into an unimaginable tragedy on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when a horrific multi-vehicle collision shook the Gogunda–Pindwara section of National Highway 27, near Udaipur. The devastating pile-up, which involved at least six vehicles, resulted in the tragic loss of four lives (as per latest reports) and left more than half a dozen people seriously injured. The accident brought the entire highway to a complete halt for several hours, exposing the challenges faced during rescue operations on such a vital, yet dangerous, route.
The chaos began late Sunday afternoon near the Peer Bawji area, falling under the Gogunda police station limits. Eyewitness accounts and initial police investigations point to a single, catastrophic event that set off a chain reaction: a large stone-laden trailer truck traveling from the Pindwara side suddenly lost control. Initial reports suggest either brake failure or driver negligence on a downhill stretch led to the truck veering wildly.
The Chain of Destruction
The out-of-control trailer first crashed head-on into an oncoming tanker. The force of this collision was so immense that the trailer immediately overturned, spilling its load and blocking the opposite lane of the highway. As this happened, a fatal pile-up began. Three private passenger cars and another smaller vehicle, which were approaching from the opposite direction, had no time to stop and slammed violently into the overturned trailer and the wreckage.
One of the cars was reportedly crushed completely, bearing the brunt of the impact. Local residents described the scene as horrifying, with mangled metal, scattered debris, and helpless victims trapped inside the wreckage. “It was a deafening sound, followed by silence and then screams,” said a local shop owner who rushed to the site.
The Challenge of Rescue: Locals and Police Race Against Time
The immediate aftermath saw an outpouring of courage and quick action from the local villagers and passersby. They were the first responders, racing against time to pull out the trapped victims from the crushed vehicles before the police and ambulance teams arrived. The sheer severity of the wreckage required the use of specialized cutting equipment to free people trapped within the twisted metal of their cars.
The local Gogunda police, along with the Highway Patrol team and emergency medical services (108 ambulances), arrived soon after the alarm was raised. Rescuing the injured and extracting the deceased was a painstaking process that took several hours.
“The accident scene was incredibly complex. We had to use heavy machinery, including cranes, to lift the overturned trailer and tanker just to reach the crushed cars underneath. The priority was getting the injured to the hospital immediately,” said Bhagwat Singh Jhala, In-charge of the Highway Patrol Team.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several critically wounded individuals being referred to the District Hospital in Udaipur for specialized treatment.
Highway Gridlock: A 5-Kilometre Jam
The crash site completely blocked the main carriageway, causing a massive traffic jam that stretched for nearly five kilometres in both directions. Commuters faced major inconvenience, with long delays throughout the late afternoon and evening. Police worked late into the night, using cranes to clear the severely damaged vehicles from the road and finally restore the flow of traffic.
Investigation and Post-Mortem: The Search for Answers
As of Monday morning, the focus shifted to the legal and medical processes. The Gogunda police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation to pinpoint the exact cause of the accident. While eyewitnesses suggest brake failure or overspeeding by the stone-laden trailer, the investigation will look into the driver’s condition, the truck’s maintenance history, and the possibility of other contributing factors. The trailer driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident and a search for the accused is underway.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the four deceased victims have been kept at the mortuary of the local hospital. On Monday, the families of the victims were formally identifying their loved ones, and the post-mortem examinations were being carried out. The identity of the victims is expected to be released by the police later in the day, bringing necessary but painful closure to the grieving families.
Statement from the Police: “We are following all legal procedures. The post-mortem reports are crucial, and we are also tracking the owner and driver of the trailer. No stone will be left unturned to ensure justice for the victims’ families,” assured a Senior Police Official speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Gogunda–Pindwara Corridor: A ‘Black Spot’ of Tragedy
This tragic accident has once again forcefully brought the spotlight onto the alarming safety record of the Gogunda–Pindwara stretch of National Highway 27. Local residents and frequent commuters have repeatedly pointed out that this corridor has become a dangerous ‘black spot’ for accidents.
Reasons cited by locals and police for the frequent accidents on this stretch include:
- Long and Steep Downhill Slopes: The mountainous terrain often leads to heavy vehicles, especially fully loaded trailers, struggling with brake failure due to overheating.
- Over-Speeding and Reckless Driving: Despite warnings, many drivers, especially of commercial vehicles, continue to drive at dangerously high speeds.
- Lack of Safety Infrastructure: Demands for better speed management, rumble strips, and stricter enforcement checks on heavy vehicles carrying loads have been long-pending.
- Encroachment and Visibility Issues: Certain sections suffer from poor visibility and encroachment near the roadside, complicating sudden stops or swerving maneuvers.
Expert Opinion: “The high incidence of accidents on specific highway corridors like this demands a structural solution, not just a punitive one. The Transport Department and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) must collaborate to conduct a scientific ‘road safety audit’ to identify geometric deficiencies and implement immediate engineering solutions like truck escape ramps and better signage,” suggested a Road Safety Expert from a local engineering college.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was the exact cause of the accident on the Gogunda–Pindwara Highway?
A: Initial investigations and eyewitness accounts suggest the accident was triggered by a stone-laden trailer truck that lost control while moving on the highway, possibly due to brake failure or excessive speed. This runaway trailer first collided with an oncoming tanker, overturned, and then caused a chain reaction that resulted in three or more passenger cars crashing into the wreckage.
Q2: How many people were killed and injured in the collision?
A: According to the latest figures confirmed by police and media sources, four people were tragically killed in the accident. Additionally, at least six to eight people suffered serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals and the District Hospital in Udaipur for urgent medical care.
Q3: Why did the accident cause such a major traffic jam?
A: The severity of the collision led to multiple large vehicles, including the overturned trailer and tanker, completely blocking the highway lanes. The wreckage was so extensive that it took several hours for police and rescue teams to use cranes and heavy machinery to clear the road. This blockage resulted in a massive traffic jam, reportedly stretching for over five kilometres.
Q4: Are the police taking action against the driver who caused the accident?
A: Yes, the Gogunda police have registered a case related to the accident. The trailer driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the collision. The police have launched a manhunt to locate and arrest the driver. They are also investigating the vehicle owner and conducting technical checks on the trailer to determine mechanical faults.