At least three people died, and five others were critically injured after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) collided head-on with a dumper truck and caught fire on a highway in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Thursday night. The victims were on their way to a wedding ceremony in the nearby town of Pilani when the accident occurred, turning a celebratory occasion into tragedy.

According to police, the collision took place around 10 pm on the Pilani–Sadulpur road in Churu.

The impact was so severe that caused both vehicles to catch fire almost immediately.

Three occupants of the SUV were trapped inside and were burnt to death on the spot. Five others sustained serious burn and impact injuries and were pulled out with the help of local residents and police personnel who rushed to the scene.

The injured were initially taken to Pilani’s Birla Public Hospital for first aid. Given the seriousness of their condition, they were referred to BDK Hospital in Jhunjhunu and later shifted to SMS Hospital in Jaipur for advanced treatment.

Officials said the condition of some of the injured remains critical.

Police teams from Hamirwas station, along with senior officers, reached the site soon after receiving information.

Fire brigade personnel were called in and managed to bring the blaze under control after sustained efforts.

The accident led to temporary traffic disruption on the route, with authorities diverting vehicles and clearing congestion.

Preliminary information suggests that the SUV, a Bolero registered in Churu, was travelling from the Sidhmukh area towards Pilani as part of a wedding procession.

The groom had already reached the bride’s residence, and ceremonies were underway when news of the accident reached the family.

The celebrations were cut short, and rituals were completed quickly in a subdued manner.

Police said the exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined, though high speed and possible negligence are being considered.

Forensic examination and further investigation are underway. Authorities are also working to confirm the identities of the deceased and inform their families.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over road safety on highways in the region. Officials said a detailed inquiry will be conducted to establish the sequence of events and determine accountability.

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Inputs by Vijay Chauhan