SP leader crushed to death under 40-quintal high-mast pole at UP petrol pump; video shows mangled SUV | Watch

• Samajwadi Party leader Lal Bahadur Yadav died in a car accident.
• A high mast light pole fell on his car during installation work.
• Police have launched an inquiry into possible negligence.

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A Samajwadi Party leader died after a high mast light pole being installed near a petrol pump collapsed onto his moving car in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district on Sunday. The incident took place in a busy market area and was captured on video, which later went viral on social media.

The deceased has been identified as Lal Bahadur Yadav (48). He was travelling in his Hyundai Creta from Babuganj towards Pratapgarh city for personal work when the accident occurred. The spot where the incident took place was barely 500 metres from his home.

According to the police, a nearly 65-foot-high high mast light pole belonging to Bharat Petroleum was being installed in front of a petrol pump using a crane. The pole allegedly weighed around 40 quintals. During the installation process, the crane’s strap suddenly snapped. As a result, the heavy pole fell directly onto Yadav’s car, crushing it.

People present in the area rushed to help after the accident. They broke open the car door and pulled Yadav out from the damaged vehicle. He was immediately taken to a nearby community health centre. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police said the incident has been officially recorded and an inquiry has been started to look into safety measures at the site. Officials are examining whether proper precautions were taken during the installation work and if there was any negligence.

Lal Bahadur Yadav was a PWD contractor by profession and also held a country liquor contract. He had contested the Antu Nagar Panchayat elections twice in the past but lost on both occasions. He was the eldest among three brothers and one sister and is survived by four daughters and a son.

His uncle, Shankar Lal Yadav, blamed negligence for the incident. He said proper restrictions should have been imposed on the movement of people and vehicles during the installation work. He added that the family is planning to register a case against those responsible for the accident.