RAMPUR: A 40-year-old man, driver with the Uttar Pradesh power department, was killed in a road accident on the Nainital Highway in the Ganj Kotwali area of Rampur on Sunday evening after a truck loaded with wooden scrap toppled onto the vehicle, crushing it completely.The incident occurred at around 4.45 pm near the Pahadi Gate crossing, one of the busiest intersections on the highway. According to police, both vehicles were heading towards Bilaspur Gate, with the Bolero, the government vehicle, moving ahead of the truck. As the vehicles approached the crossing, the Bolero driver attempted to take a turn, while the truck continued straight. On suddenly seeing the Bolero in front, the truck driver tried to swerve to avoid a collision. In the process, the truck rammed into the divider, broke through it and overturned onto the Bolero.The truck was carrying wooden scrap, which spilled across the road and completely buried the Bolero beneath it. The impact flattened the vehicle, triggering panic and chaos at the scene. With uncertainty over how many people might have been inside the Bolero, passers-by raised alarms, leading to a swift response from authorities.Traffic police, teams from three police stations, the fire brigade and at least half a dozen ambulances rushed to the spot. Superintendent of police Vidyasagar Mishra and city circle officer Jitendra Kumar also reached the site to supervise the rescue operation. A crane was deployed to remove the overturned truck and clear the debris.The trapped driver was pulled out of the mangled Bolero and rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The highway remained choked for nearly an hour as police worked to remove the scattered wooden scrap and restore traffic.“The deceased has been identified as Firasat, a resident of Gujjar Tola in Rampur. His family has been informed,” SP Vidyasagar Mishra said, adding, “The truck driver fled the scene and efforts are on to trace him. We are also investigating whether the truck was overloaded.”The Bolero was attached on contract with the electricity department and was allotted to the Khod power substation. Sub-Divisional Officer Nagendra Kumar said he had taken charge only two days ago and was not using the vehicle on Sunday due to the weekly holiday. “On holidays, the driver usually gets the vehicle serviced. That is why the Bolero was with him,” he said.
