A 27-year-old software engineer died after his car plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Noida, highlighting serious lapses in road and construction safety.
The incident occurred late Friday night near Sector 150, when the victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, was driving home. His SUV broke through a damaged boundary wall and fell into a deep pit dug for a commercial project. Police said poor visibility due to dense fog and the absence of barricades or warning signs contributed to the accident.
According to officials and family members, Mehta, who did not know how to swim, managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle. He remained there for nearly 90 minutes, repeatedly calling for help. During this time, he contacted his father, shared his live location, and used his phone’s flashlight to signal distress.
Mehta’s father rushed to the spot and alerted emergency services. Local residents and passersby also gathered at the site, and one person reportedly entered the pit in an attempt to rescue him. However, the depth of the pit, cold water, and low visibility made rescue efforts difficult. Police personnel present were unable to enter the water immediately.
Specialised rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and later the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were called in. By the time the teams began the operation, Mehta had drowned. His body was recovered in the early hours of Saturday.
Residents said the open pit had long posed a danger and that repeated complaints to authorities about the lack of safety measures had gone unaddressed. Following the incident, police registered an FIR against the builders responsible for the site for alleged negligence. Authorities said an inquiry has been ordered to fix accountability.
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