New Delhi, February 13 A birthday celebration turned tragic for a 19-year-old when a speeding truck crashed into his scooter, killing him and leaving his friend severely injured, resulting in the loss of a leg.
Police received a call about the incident around 12:30 am on Friday. The truck, carrying grocery items, was heading towards Badarpur.
Manav, 19, a resident of Sarai Julena, was taken to a hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead, police said. Mohammad Saad, 21, is currently receiving treatment and is reportedly in critical condition. The scooter is registered in his father's name, police said.
Both students are from Jamia Millia Islamia.
After the incident, Saad was conscious enough to provide the police with his home contact information. When he was taken to the hospital, he was unconscious and bleeding heavily.
"Saad remains in critical condition. Doctors have amputated one of his legs, and another surgery is ongoing," Riyaz Uddin, Saad's uncle, told news agency PTI.
He added that more than 60 units of blood have already been transfused, with an additional 10 units urgently required.
For Saad's family, the night has been a blur of operating rooms and requests for blood transfusions. "He had dreams of studying abroad and building a future outside this country. Now, his entire life has been turned upside down," Riyaz added.
"They had gone out to celebrate Manav's birthday. I have been told that his family is in distress and is arranging for his documents to receive his body," he added.
"Manav's birthday has become the day his family now mourns," Riyaz told news agency PTI.
The accused driver, Jahul, 32, a resident of Nuh in Haryana, has been detained. He has been working for the truck owner, identified as Rashid, for the past two years, the police said.
The police confirmed that no helmets were recovered from the scene. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.