Two teenage boys died and two others were injured after their car rammed into a stationary truck before hitting a divider on Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar. The accident has sparked calls for strict action against underage driving in the Valley.
The accident occurred on Thursday at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, when four teenagers, all students of Class 11 of DPS Srinagar, got into an accident when one of the SUVs rammed into a stationary tipper truck before hitting the divider. According to news agency, PTI one of the injured students is said to be in a critical condition.
The boys studied in the same school and had reportedly participated in the school's annual day function after which they were headed somewhere in two separate Thar SUVs. They then engaged in an impromptu race on the highway. When they reached Tengpora, one of the SUVs lost control hit a truck parked on the road, before smashing into the divider.
The entire accident was captured on the CCTV and showed the Thar crashing into the parked truck. The video is being circulated widely on social media platforms.
CCTV Footage of Tengpora Road Accident pic.twitter.com/tPq8FsrWAL
— Junaid Bhat Photographer (@Junaidbhatphoto) November 14, 2024
The deceased 17-year-old boys have been identified as Hamaad and Aseem Sofi, while the two others who have been injured are receiving treatement at a Srinagar hospital.
Following the incident, several people including politicians expressed grief over the loss of lives and triggered calls from the society to ban underage driving.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said our road sense shows no sign of improving.
"Heart breaking visuals. This accident claimed previous young lives & has had a devastating impact on their families. My heart goes out to the families of the boys killed in this tragic accident. May Allah grant them place in Jannat," Abdullah said in a post on X.
In his post he said that "Our cars get quicker, our roads get better but our road sense shows no sign of improving. Speed thrills but it kills with no remorse. Traffic rules are there for a reason, they keep us safe but only if we follow them."
Heart breaking visuals. This accident claimed previous young lives & has had a devastating impact on their families. My heart goes out to the families of the boys killed in this tragic accident. May Allah grant them place in Jannat.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 15, 2024
Our cars get quicker, our roads get better but… https://t.co/vlCmLJY3W7
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari expressed concern over the surge in road accidents, particularly those caused by careless driving, seeking a complete ban on underage driving.
"It is heartbreaking to see photographs of the young boys who lost their lives in recent accidents in Lawaypora and Tengapora, leaving their families, especially their parents, devastated. Authorities must enforce strict measures to prevent reckless driving, stunts, and underage driving, Bukhari said in a post on X.
"Strict action against traffic violators, a complete ban on underage driving, and a comprehensive awareness campaign are urgently needed," Bukhari said.
The rise in road accidents, especially those caused by careless driving, is deeply concerning. It is heartbreaking to see photographs of the young boys who lost their lives in recent accidents in Lawaypora and Tengapora, leaving their families, especially their parents,…
— Altaf Bukhari (@SMAltafBukhari) November 15, 2024
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Traffic, Srinagar City, Muzaffar Shah, appealed to the parents to not allow access to a two or three-wheeler to minors. He also stated that it is the parents' responsibility if the child is being allowed access to a vehicle without a driving license.
"All four children in the vehicle were studying at a particular school. The important issue is how the parents allowed access to the four wheeler if the boys are minors? That is the biggest question. Had there been no access, this unfortunate accident would not have happened," he said.
"The (CCTV) footage shows they were speeding. Had there been no speeding, maybe evasive action by them could have given them a chance, and saved them," Shah said.
