Delhi-Mumbai Expressway accident: Five killed as speeding XUV plunges into gorge in Madhya Pradesh

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway accident early on Friday morning claimed the lives of five people after a speeding XUV700 lost control and plunged into a deep gorge in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district. The incident took place near Bhimpura village, under the Rawati police station limits, shortly before the Mahi River bridge at around 7:30 am on November 14.

According to Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, the SUV was travelling from Delhi towards Mumbai when the driver appeared to have lost control. The vehicle smashed through a strong aluminium barrier installed along the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and dropped into a ditch several metres below. “The car was heading towards Mumbai from Delhi. The vehicle broke the expressway barrier after the driver lost control and plunged into a ditch,” he told Bharat Details.

Initial police assessment

The police said early observations indicate that the vehicle was moving at high speed. The impact was strong enough to tear apart the front portion of the SUV and rip open its roof. Parts of the bumper and number plate were found scattered far from the crash site, suggesting the force of the collision.

The five passengers—among them a 15-year-old boy and a 70-year-old man—were pulled out by the rescue team but were declared dead on arrival. SP Amit Kumar added that fatigue may have played a role. “We suspect the driver may have dozed off at the wheel, causing the accident,” he said. All bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

How the accident unfolded

Witnesses informed the police that the XUV broke the railing without braking, indicating that the driver might not have attempted to control the vehicle in the final moments. The damage to the guardrail and skid marks on the expressway are being examined as part of the inquiry. Rescue teams, including the local police and fire services, reached the spot immediately after receiving alert calls, but all five occupants had already succumbed to their injuries.

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A recurring concern on the expressway

The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, an eight-lane high-speed corridor, has been operational in phases and has already seen multiple serious mishaps over the past year. Residents and commuters have repeatedly demanded stronger safety barriers along critical stretches, especially where sharp curves or elevated sections exist. Friday’s expressway crash in Ratlam is expected to reignite discussions around road infrastructure safety on India’s newest high-speed corridor.

Related accidents reported in the region

Shortly after this incident, authorities reported several other road accidents in North India. In Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district, a motorcycle crash on National Highway-19 claimed the life of a 40-year-old man, while his wife sustained critical injuries. Police identified the victim as Vinod Kumar Kesari from Bhikaripur village. According to officials, an unidentified vehicle collided with their motorcycle on November 12. The injured woman is currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

In another case, four young men from Haryana’s Sonipat district died when their car collided with a stationary truck near the Bantikheda bridge on the Panipat–Khatima highway. The crash took place on the night of November 7. ASP Santosh Kumar Singh said the impact was severe and all four victims—aged between 25 and 30—died on the spot.

Friday’s MP road accident news from Ratlam once again highlights the need for improved safety measures on high-speed expressways. Investigations into the XUV700 crash case will continue even as authorities look into whether driver fatigue, speeding, or structural factors contributed to the tragedy. Bharat Details will update readers as more information becomes available.