By – Aditya Shrivastava
Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh | June 19, 2025 —
In a heart-wrenching accident that shook Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district, five members of the same family were burnt alive in a horrific car crash early Wednesday morning. The sole survivor, a 16-year-old girl, is undergoing treatment at a local hospital with burn injuries and a fractured leg.
The Journey That Turned Tragic
The ill-fated car was returning to Delhi from a wedding ceremony in Sahaswan, Budaun. The family had attended the wedding of a relative in Chamarapura village. Around 4 AM, 26-year-old Tanzil Ahmad, the driver and a family member, began the 190-kilometer journey back to Malviya Nagar, Delhi. However, tragedy struck just 85 kilometers into the journey, near Chandauk crossing in the Jahangirabad area.
According to the initial police investigation and CCTV footage, the car was speeding excessively. The journey, which typically takes two hours, was completed in less than 90 minutes, suggesting a high speed that likely contributed to the accident. Eyewitness accounts and forensic signs at the crash site point towards the driver dozing off at the wheel.
What Happened at the Crash Site
The accident occurred around 5:30 AM when the speeding car lost control and rammed into a culvert before overturning. The impact caused the petrol tank to rupture, which ignited a fire, likely sparked by friction from the metal scraping the road surface.
Skid marks found at the scene stretched for nearly 30 to 40 meters, indicating a last-minute braking attempt. Before hitting the culvert, the car veered out of control, and the petrol tank’s explosion engulfed the vehicle in flames.
Victims Identified
The deceased were identified as:
- Tanzil Ahmad (26) – Driver and son of Tanveer Ahmad
- Nida (21) – Daughter-in-law of Tanveer Ahmad
- Momina (24) – Daughter of Tanveer Ahmad
- Zubair (27) – Momina’s husband
- Zainul (2) – Son of Zubair and Momina
The only survivor was Gulnaz (16), daughter of Tanveer Ahmad, who was rescued by bystanders and is currently receiving medical treatment. Her head and leg sustained injuries, but she is out of danger.
The family was originally from Chamarapura village in Budaun but resided in Malviya Nagar, Delhi.
The Sole Survivor and the Child Left Behind
While the crash claimed five lives, one life was inadvertently spared. Inaya, the six-year-old daughter of Zubair and Momina, had not accompanied the family to the wedding. She now remains the sole surviving member of her immediate family, raising deep concerns for her future.
Family members and relatives who gathered at the district hospital’s postmortem house were overcome with grief. Loud wails filled the air as the magnitude of the loss sank in. According to hospital sources, the postmortem report revealed that the cause of death for all five victims was a combination of burn injuries and asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.
Police Investigation Underway
Bulandshahr police have begun a detailed investigation. “CCTV footage along Anupshahr Road shows the car traveling at very high speed. We suspect the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel after staying awake late into the night,” a senior police official said. “Skid marks and signs of impact confirm that the car lost control moments before the collision. The exact cause of the fire will be confirmed after forensic analysis.”
The vehicle’s remains have been sent for technical inspection. Further questioning of eyewitnesses and analysis of CCTV footage from surrounding areas is ongoing.
A Wake-Up Call
This tragic accident once again highlights the fatal consequences of speeding and driving while fatigued. Road safety experts urge drivers to rest adequately before long-distance journeys and to avoid speeding, especially when traveling with family.
The loss of five lives — including a toddler — has left an entire village and a community in mourning. For now, the family’s focus is on the recovery of Gulnaz and ensuring a future for little Inaya, whose life was spared by a twist of fate.