Source The new Indian Express
28-year-old software professional drowned nearly two hours after his car plunged into a water-filled drain in Noida on Sunday night, despite police and emergency teams being present at the scene. The victim’s father reportedly watched helplessly as rescue efforts were delayed, triggering public outrage and questions over response preparedness.
According to officials, the incident occurred when the techie lost control of his vehicle and it skidded into an uncovered drain following heavy rainfall. The car quickly sank in the murky water. Local residents alerted the police, who arrived shortly after along with traffic personnel.
Eyewitnesses said the victim was alive for a significant period after the crash and managed to make a phone call to his father, pleading for help and saying he did not want to die. His father rushed to the spot and repeatedly urged authorities to speed up the rescue operation.
However, the absence of specialised diving equipment and trained personnel reportedly hampered immediate action. A crane and divers were arranged much later, by which time the car had fully submerged. When the vehicle was finally pulled out nearly two hours later, the man was found unconscious and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Senior police officials said a probe has been ordered to ascertain whether there was any negligence in the rescue operation. The Noida Authority has also been asked to submit a report on why the drain was left uncovered and whether safety norms were violated.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted infrastructure lapses and emergency response gaps in the region, with citizens demanding accountability and urgent measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
