3 burnt alive, 5 critically injured as SUV collides with dumper in Rajasthan’s Churu

At least three people were burnt alive and five others were critically injured after a sports utility vehicle collided head-on with a dumper truck in Churu late Thursday night. The accident occurred on the Pilani–Sadulpur road under the jurisdiction of Hamirwas police station, triggering panic and a large-scale emergency response.

According to officials, the SUV, identified as a Mahindra Bolero, was returning from Pilani after attending a wedding when it crashed into the dumper near the Thirpali toll plaza. The impact of the collision was so severe that both vehicles caught fire almost instantly, trapping passengers inside and leading to the death of three occupants who were unable to escape.

Local residents rushed to the scene in an attempt to rescue those trapped, but the intensity of the flames made immediate intervention extremely difficult. Police and fire brigade teams soon arrived and managed to control the blaze after sustained efforts, while additional forces were deployed to regulate traffic that had been severely disrupted due to the incident.

The five injured victims were initially taken to a nearby hospital in Pilani for first aid before being referred to Jaipur for advanced treatment, as their condition was reported to be critical. Authorities have begun efforts to identify the deceased, with officials indicating that DNA testing may be required due to the extent of burn injuries.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, with preliminary indications pointing towards possible high speed or negligence. The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on highways, as officials continue to examine the sequence of events leading to the fatal collision.