Youth dies in car crash on birthday

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 20

Birthday celebrations turned into a tragedy for the Morinda-based family of 26-year-old Puneet Sabharwal, who died in a road accident on Airport Road last night.

The incident occurred around 10.30 pm on a sharp curve in front of a local gurudwara at Sector 70 on Airport Road. The victim, whose "roka" ceremony was scheduled for the coming Sunday, was driving his Hyundai Verna car at a high speed at the time of the incident. He was coming from Zirakpur, where he had gone to meet an acquaintance, towards his residence in Morinda, where his family members were waiting to celebrate his birthday.  

Apparently, he did not notice the curve and lost control over his car, which first jumped over the divider and crashed into a truck coming from other side of the road.

The impact of the accident was so strong that the front part of the vehicle was completely crushed. The safety airbags opened but could not save Puneet, whose body was found entangled in the vehicle.    

According to the police, Puneet was pulled out of the car with difficulty. He was taken to a nearby private hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The family members, who were waiting for Puneet, got the news of the accident from the police around midnight.

Gaurav Bedi, brother-in-law of the victim, said the "roka" ceremony of the victim had been finalised for Sunday. “Our plans have been shattered. It is a tragic loss,” said Bedi.

The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Sections 174 of the CrPC at the Mataur police station. The police said the postmortem would be conducted tomorrow.