In a heart-wrenching incident on the Gorakhpur–Varanasi National Highway, four young men riding a single motorcycle lost their lives after being struck by a speeding SUV. The crash, which occurred on Saturday morning in Gorakhpur’s Balkalganj area, has left the local community in shock and mourning.

The four victims Rahul Kumar (22), Arvind Kumar (23), Pradyumn Kumar (22), and Sunil Kumar (22) were residents of Garthauli Tola, Sidhwapar Gram Sabha. All of them were painters by profession and close friends; some of them were also related by family. The group was heading home when the collision took place.

According to Circle Officer Manoj Kumar Pandey, the accident occurred around 9:45 am. The men were riding an Apache motorcycle and attempting to overtake a tractor when they were hit head-on by a Grand Vitara SUV coming from the opposite direction at high speed.

CCTV footage reviewed by authorities shows the horrifying moment: two of the men were hurled into the air by the force of the impact, while the other two were dragged on the vehicle’s bonnet for nearly 100 meters before it came to a halt. The SUV driver did not stop to help and fled the scene immediately.

Locals Saw the Accident and Helped the Victims

Locals who witnessed the crash rushed to help and took the injured men to the nearest Community Health Centre. However, three of them Sunil, Arvind, and Pradyumn were declared dead upon arrival. Rahul, the only child of his parents, was referred to the district hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way.

What makes the tragedy even more devastating is the timing. Rahul was set to be engaged on June 1, with wedding plans already underway. His body returned home on the same day his family had been preparing for the ceremony, turning what was supposed to be a joyous occasion into one of profound grief.

Police have filed an FIR against the unknown driver of the SUV, who remains absconding. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that the viral CCTV footage is being used to help track down the driver.

Meanwhile, neighbors and family members remain in deep mourning. The community is also raising concerns about road safety, especially given the increasing number of reckless driving incidents on major highways.

This accident is a grim reminder of how a single moment of negligence can wipe out multiple lives and leave families shattered forever.