In a pre-dawn road mishap on Wednesday, a Mahindra pickup truck loaded with mangoes overturned on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana National Highway near Dallewal village, close to Goraya. The incident occurred around 3:15 AM and has once again raised concerns over driver fatigue and highway safety. One individual sustained injuries in the crash and was subsequently admitted to the Phillaur Civil Hospital.
According to reports, the accident took place when the driver reportedly fell asleep while driving. The vehicle, en route from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh to Jalandhar, veered off the road and overturned. The pickup truck was carrying a full load of mangoes intended for wholesale markets in Jalandhar.
Two individuals were traveling in the vehicle at the time of the accident — the driver, identified as Saurav, son of Rameshwar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and the cleaner, Tony, who hails from Saharanpur. While the driver escaped with minor bruises, Tony suffered a fractured arm and was immediately taken to the nearest hospital in Phillaur by local residents and emergency responders.
Speaking to the media, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sarabjit Singh from the State Safety Force (SSF), who led the rescue response, confirmed the details. “The vehicle was carrying mangoes and was coming from Saharanpur. The accident happened because the driver apparently dozed off and lost control of the vehicle. It swerved off the main highway and overturned at the edge of the road,” he said.
Local residents, who were awakened by the noise of the crash, quickly gathered at the scene and alerted emergency services. The SSF team responded promptly, ensuring that proper safety measures were implemented to prevent further incidents. Traffic cones were placed both in front of and behind the overturned vehicle to alert oncoming motorists and redirect traffic safely around the accident site.
“The accident occurred at a critical stretch of the highway where heavy vehicles often speed, especially during the night. Fortunately, the crash didn’t result in any additional casualties or collisions,” ASI Sarabjit Singh added.
The scene depicted the aftermath of a typical fatigue-related road accident. The mangled vehicle lay sideways, with mangoes scattered across the roadside. Eyewitnesses said the truck seemed to have been traveling at a high speed before the incident occurred. The lack of traffic at that early hour may have prevented a larger tragedy.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle was not in a state of disrepair, and road conditions were favorable. The likely cause, officials say, was sheer driver exhaustion. Highway patrol authorities and safety experts have repeatedly warned drivers — especially long-haul operators — about the risks of fatigue, emphasizing the need for adequate rest and breaks during extended journeys.
This incident also underlines the increasing volume of agricultural transport vehicles moving through Punjab’s national highways during the early morning hours. With the ongoing mango season, fruit-laden trucks from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are regularly seen heading toward northern cities, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana.
Despite the relatively minor injuries, the accident could have had more serious consequences, particularly had there been more vehicles on the road. A senior official from the Phillaur police division commented, “This is a wake-up call. Driver fatigue is a silent killer, especially on highways. We urge transport companies and private operators to ensure their staff follows regulated driving schedules and rests sufficiently.”
The truck has since been removed from the crash site, and the highway is now operating smoothly. Authorities are in the process of verifying the documentation and permits of the transport company responsible for the vehicle. No foul play is suspected at this time.
Locals of Dallewal village expressed concern about the frequency of such incidents near their area. “This isn’t the first time. Several vehicles have lost control near this turn. Either speed breakers or warning signs should be installed to avoid future accidents,” said Harpreet Singh, a local shopkeeper and eyewitness to the incident.
Efforts are underway to assess whether additional safety infrastructure, such as reflective signages or LED lighting, might reduce accident rates along this highway stretch. The Punjab Road Safety Authority is expected to conduct an inspection of the area next week.
Meanwhile, Tony, the injured cleaner, is said to be in stable condition and recovering well. His family has been informed, and medical assistance is being provided by the local administration.
As India continues to grapple with road safety challenges — particularly on national highways — this incident serves as another stark reminder of the pressing need for driver education, better highway monitoring, and strict enforcement of transport regulations.
