DHAMTARI, Chhattisgarh: A 24-year-old woman biker from Mumbai died on Wednesday after her motorcycle collided with a trailer truck on National Highway-30 near Markatola Ghat in Dhamtari district, police and hospital sources reported.
Accident and immediate response
The rider, identified as Riddhi Thakkar, was part of a group of women bikers travelling from Mumbai towards the Bastar region, officials said. The group had reached the Raipur–Kanker route when a trailer coming from the opposite direction struck her motorcycle, leaving her critically injured.
An emergency call to 112 prompted local responders to rush to the spot, and Thakkar was initially taken to a health centre in Charama for treatment. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to a private hospital in Dhamtari, where doctors later confirmed she had succumbed to her injuries, according to hospital sources.
Who was the rider
Thakkar was a resident of Kandivali West, Mumbai and maintained an active presence on social media as a motorcycling enthusiast. Her Instagram handle, reported as @gearglimpse54, had about 20,000 followers, and she also ran a YouTube channel, Ridewithridz, where she posted bike reviews, riding gear guides and moto-vlogs.
"On this channel, I take you along on my two-wheeled adventures, from solo rides and scenic road trips to bike reviews, riding tips, gear guides, and the real, unfiltered moments of life on the road as a girl who rides...I'm here to break stereotypes, inspire others (especially women) to chase freedom on two wheels, and build a community where all riders are welcome," her YouTube biography reads.
Details yet to be confirmed
Officials did not immediately provide details on the circumstances that led to the collision, such as speed, visibility, road conditions at Markatola Ghat, or whether any traffic rules were violated by either party. Police in Dhamtari said inquiries were under way and that statements were being recorded from fellow riders and the trailer driver as part of the investigation, according to officers at the scene.
Local context and safety issues
The Raipur–Kanker stretch of NH-30 passes through hilly and forested terrain in parts and is used by long-distance travellers including commercial vehicles. Road safety experts and police routinely advise riders to use protective gear, maintain safe speed, and take extra caution at ghats and curved stretches.
- Victim: Riddhi Thakkar, 24, resident of Kandivali West, Mumbai.
- Location: Markatola Ghat, NH-30, Dhamtari district.
- Response: Initial treatment at Charama health centre; shifted to private hospital in Dhamtari where she was declared dead.
Timeline
| Event | Reported timing |
|---|---|
| Collision on NH-30 near Markatola Ghat | Wednesday morning (exact time not given) |
| Emergency call placed to 112; initial treatment at Charama health centre | Shortly after crash |
| Shifted to private hospital in Dhamtari; later pronounced dead | After worsening condition |
Community reaction and online presence
Thakkar had cultivated an online following by documenting rides, reviewing equipment and urging more women to take up motorcycling. Her video and photo posts showcased long-distance trips and gear assessments, aimed at building a riding community and challenging stereotypes, according to her public profiles.
Authorities in Dhamtari said they will prepare a formal accident report after completing the on-site probe and recording witness statements. No charge-sheet had been filed at the time of reporting, and the condition of the trailer driver was not specified in initial briefings.
The incident underscores recurring safety concerns for riders on national highways that see a mix of heavy commercial traffic and leisure riders. Police and road-safety advocates often stress the need for helmets, protective clothing and adherence to speed limits, particularly on ghat sections and stretches with frequent heavy-vehicle movement.
Further updates are expected as the Dhamtari police complete the investigation and hospital authorities finalise records related to the treatment and time of death.
