Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh — Four people lost their lives and five others were hurt when a car struck the rear of a stationary truck on the Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway near Shivgarh in Ratlam district in the early hours of Friday, police said.
What happened
The collision occurred at about 2 am on the eight‑lane expressway when the car, carrying members of a single extended family, hit a truck that had stopped on the roadside after breaking down. The impact crushed the smaller vehicle, leaving occupants trapped and critically injured, the police said.
Toll operator staff and local residents helped emergency teams and police personnel extricate the injured and the deceased from the wreckage. The seriously wounded were taken to Ratlam Medical College Hospital for treatment, while the bodies were sent for post‑mortem.
"The police team reached the spot and took the injured to Ratlam Medical College. The bodies were removed from the damaged vehicle and sent for post‑mortem. Initial information suggests that all those travelling were relatives. Shivgarh police are investigating the accident," Additional SP Vivek Kumar Lal said.
Who were involved
Police said the victims and survivors were related and hailed from districts across western Madhya Pradesh — Indore, Dhar and Jhabua. They were travelling from Thandla in Jhabua to the Khatu Shyamji shrine in Rajasthan for darshan. Of the nine people in the car, three women and one man died at the scene, while the five injured include two children.
Official response and investigation
Shivgarh police registered a case and launched an inquiry to establish the exact sequence of events and whether visibility, speed or shortcomings in roadside safety contributed to the crash. Officials said they are examining whether the truck displayed adequate hazard signals after the breakdown and whether lighting or signage at the location was sufficient.
Investigators are also collecting statements from toll company employees and eyewitnesses who assisted at the scene. The probe will determine responsibility and whether traffic rules were flouted by any party.
Local safety concerns on the expressway
Police noted that nearly half a dozen accidents have been reported on stretches of the Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway over the past three months, with a number of collisions occurring during night hours and often involving high speeds. The new national highway, which passes through multiple districts of Madhya Pradesh, has been the focus of authorities who are attempting to balance faster travel times with road safety measures.
- Time of crash: Around 2 am
- Location: Near Shivgarh, Ratlam district, on the Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway
- Casualties: 4 dead at scene; 5 injured (including 2 children)
- Origin of travellers: Thandla (Jhabua); residents from Indore, Dhar and Jhabua
Immediate impact and practical considerations
The deaths and injuries will be a heavy blow for the extended family and the villages from which they came. For pilgrims and families planning night travel on long corridors, the incident underlines risks associated with driving after dark, especially when vehicles are stranded. Authorities regularly advise motorists to maintain safe speed, use hazard lights if stopping, and avoid stopping on carriageways unless absolutely necessary.
Police urged anyone with dashcam footage or additional information to come forward to assist the investigation. The toll operator’s early assistance in rescuing those trapped emphasises the role of local staff and commuters in emergency response on high‑speed roads.
Data table: Known facts from police reports
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time | ~2 am |
| Location | Shivgarh, Ratlam district (Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway) |
| Vehicles involved | Private car, truck (parked due to breakdown) |
| Casualties | 4 dead; 5 injured (including 2 children) |
| Hospital | Ratlam Medical College Hospital |
As investigations proceed, police will release further details, including identities once family members are informed and legal formalities completed. The crash raises renewed questions about night‑time safety and protocols for stalled vehicles on major expressways that carry high volumes of traffic through Madhya Pradesh.
