Lalru mishap: Gym owner, driver killed as SUV overturns while trying to avoid stray animal in Mohali

The deceased were identified as Manjot Singh, who owned a gym in Ludhiana, and driver Ravi Kumar. The injured were identified as Akash Verma and security guard Rajeev Kumar Pandey

A 23-year-old gym owner from Ludhiana and his driver were killed after their Fortuner SUV overturned while trying to avoid a stray animal near ITI Chowk in Lalru early on Friday. Two other occupants escaped with minor injuries.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid it. The SUV struck the central divider and overturned. (HT File)

The deceased were identified as Manjot Singh, who owned a gym in Ludhiana, and driver Ravi Kumar. The injured were identified as Akash Verma and security guard Rajeev Kumar Pandey.

According to the police, the four were travelling to Delhi when a stray animal suddenly came onto the road near ITI Chowk. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid it. The SUV struck the central divider and overturned.

The impact left the Fortuner extensively damaged. Its front portion was crushed, with the bonnet folded onto the windshield. The front bumper, grille and headlights were ripped off, the tyres were damaged, the roof caved in at several places and the doors were badly mangled.

Singh and Ravi suffered fatal injuries and died on the spot. Passersby alerted the police, following which a team from Lalru police station reached the spot and rescued the occupants. The bodies were sent to the civil hospital for post-mortem examination.

Based on his statement, the police initiated inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).