A doctor couple and their two children died in a road accident on the Kawai-Atru highway in Baran district's Kawai police station area on Tuesday morning, police said. A car collided head-on with a tractor-trailer (balker) near a petrol pump, and the impact was severe enough to badly damage the front of the car, trapping the couple inside.
On being informed, Kawai police station personnel reached the spot and, with the help of local residents, pulled all four occupants out of the vehicle and rushed them to Atru hospital, where doctors examined them and declared all four dead.
Family was returning from a birthday celebration
According to information received, Dr Suresh Gajraj, originally from Surajgarh in Jhunjhunu and currently residing in Jaipur, had come to Baran on 19 September along with his wife, Dr Shalini Maurya, and their two children. The family had attended a birthday celebration for his brother-in-law's child. On Tuesday morning, the family was returning to Jaipur by car when their vehicle collided with the tractor-trailer near the petrol pump on the Kawai-Atru highway. Dr Suresh, Dr Shalini and their two children, Swapnil and Nilisha, died in the accident.
Serving in Mandal for nearly four years
Dr Suresh Gajraj and Dr Shalini Maurya had been working at the Mandal sub-hospital in Bhilwara district for about four years, with Dr Suresh reported to be in charge of the hospital. News of the two doctors' deaths together sent a wave of grief through Mandal and the medical community.
Couple trapped inside the car
According to eyewitnesses, the front of the car was completely destroyed after the collision with the tractor-trailer, and the couple were trapped inside. On being alerted, Kawai police station personnel reached the scene and began the rescue operation. All four were pulled out and taken to Atru hospital, but doctors declared them dead on arrival.
Family members informed
Police have informed the families of the deceased about the accident and have begun the necessary proceedings. News of the deaths of four members of the same family has cast a shadow of grief over Mandal and the wider medical community.