Gumla, Jharkhand erupted in grief following a catastrophic collision between a hyva truck and a pickup van that left four dead and two fighting for survival. The mishap unfolded late evening on a notorious accident-prone highway, underscoring the state’s ongoing battle with deadly road incidents.

The pickup van, ferrying locals, was no match for the oncoming behemoth hyva barreling down the road at high speed. Metal screeched and glass shattered in a deafening crash, scattering debris across the highway. Bystanders captured the chaos on mobile phones, showing the van’s front completely pulverized.

Police and ambulance teams arrived after frantic calls from terrified onlookers. The death toll stood at four, with victims ranging from young workers to family breadwinners. The two critically injured were airlifted to Ranchi for advanced treatment, where doctors describe their condition as precarious.

Forensic teams are piecing together evidence, with skid marks suggesting the hyva driver dozed off or was distracted. Overloading remains a suspect, as the truck carried construction materials far beyond capacity. The driver has been detained for questioning.

Grief-stricken families gathered at the site, demanding justice and better road conditions. This tragedy reignites calls for installing speed breakers, better lighting, and awareness campaigns. Jharkhand’s transport minister has promised compensation and a safety audit of key routes. In the shadow of this loss, the community vows to push for change before more lives are lost.