A 48-year-old local Samajwadi Party leader, Lal Bahadur Yadav, died on Sunday in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh after a high-mast light pole being installed near a petrol pump collapsed onto his moving car, crushing it and killing him instantly.

The accident occurred in the busy Babuganj market area on the Amethi–Pratapgarh route, just about 500 metres from his home, and was captured on CCTV. Police have registered a case and launched a probe into possible safety lapses and negligence, while family members, locals and party workers have blamed inadequate safety measures during the installation work and demanded accountability from authorities and the petrol pump management.

Accident Rocks Babuganj Market, Probe Launched

According to local police and eyewitness accounts, Yadav was travelling in his Hyundai Creta from Babuganj towards Pratapgarh city for personal work when the nearly 65-foot, roughly 40-quintal high-mast light pole being set up outside a Bharat Petroleum petrol pump suddenly collapsed onto his car.

Reports indicate that the heavy pole, which was being lifted with the help of a crane during installation, fell when the crane’s strap reportedly snapped, causing it to lose balance and crash directly onto the vehicle.

CCTV footage from the bustling market shows the pole toppling within seconds and striking the Creta with immense force, severely damaging its front portion, especially on the driver’s side. Though the airbags deployed, the impact was too strong for Yadav to survive, and doctors at a nearby community health centre later declared him dead on arrival. A couple of two-wheelers and an e-rickshaw narrowly escaped being hit, with riders braking just in time, according to visuals and onlookers.

Local residents rushed to the scene immediately after hearing the loud crash, breaking open the car door and pulling Yadav from the mangled vehicle. “It was a terrible sight… we tried to help but the damage was too severe,” one witness told reporters. Several locals criticised the absence of basic safety measures such as cordoning off the installation site or diverting traffic despite heavy movement in the area.

Family and Community React to Fatal Collapse

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with family members and friends mourning Yadav’s sudden death. His uncle, Shankar Lal Yadav, alleged that the accident was caused by sheer negligence and said the family intends to register a legal case against those responsible for the installation work, highlighting that no restrictions were placed on vehicle movement during the hazardous operation. “Proper safety protocols should have been in place. This was preventable,” he said.

While Yadav was identified in several reports as a local Samajwadi Party leader and active community member, party officials clarified that he did not hold an official post within the organisation, though he was known among workers and supporters in the district. Party workers and supporters visited the bereaved family, expressed their condolences and criticised what they described as a lapse in safety oversight by authorities and the petrol pump management.

Neighbours and residents also shared heartfelt memories of Yadav, describing him as a devoted husband, father and neighbour who often helped others and was well-regarded in local circles. He is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son. The road where the accident happened has reopened since, but many locals said the haunting visuals of the mangled vehicle and the fallen pole continue to linger in their minds.

Officials Promise a Thorough Investigation

Following the accident, the Antu police station registered a case and launched a formal inquiry to examine whether safety protocols were followed during the pole installation and whether criminal negligence played a role.

Station House Officer Abhishek Sirohi confirmed that the investigation will encompass various angles, including structural failure, compliance with safety norms, and the conduct of contractors and site supervisors. “All aspects are being investigated, and if negligence is found, responsible individuals will be held accountable,” he said in an official statement.

District administration officials have also assured the public that they are monitoring the inquiry closely and that the cooperation of technical experts will be sought to determine how the pole collapsed. Some residents, however, expressed frustration that such a tragedy occurred in a busy market area without any traffic blockades or warning systems during a known hazard operation.

Broader Safety Concerns and Infrastructure Accountability

The tragic death of Yadav comes at a time when questions about urban infrastructure safety and public works compliance are increasingly being highlighted across states. Incidents involving collapsing structures whether construction cranes, poles or uncontrolled signboards have sparked public debate around whether contractors, companies and local authorities are enforcing adequate safeguards during risky installation and maintenance work, especially in densely populated or high-traffic zones.

Safety experts note that managing risks during installation of heavy structures should involve complete traffic diversion, site barricading, supervisory oversight and risk assessments, particularly on highways and market belts where movement is constant. Without such protocols, even routine operations can turn deadly.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Lal Bahadur Yadav’s death is a stark reminder that public safety must be non-negotiable in civic and infrastructure projects. This is not merely about enforcing rules on paper but about protecting lives on the ground. When heavy equipment and structures are being installed in public spaces, authorities, contractors and companies alike must prioritise human safety over expediency. Delhi, Mumbai and cities across India have witnessed similar infrastructure mishaps in recent times, signalling a broader pattern of lax enforcement of basic safety measurements.