By Techie Dies After Car Falls Into Noida Drain Amid Fog, Last Call to Father Reveals Harrowing Final Moments
The death of a 27-year-old software engineer after his car plunged into a water-filled drain in Noida has once again brought the spotlight on civic negligence, poor urban planning, and the deadly consequences of unsafe roads. What has shaken residents even more is the chilling final phone call the victim made to his father, begging for help as his vehicle slowly submerged in darkness.
The incident, which occurred late Friday night near Sector 150, unfolded amid dense winter fog—conditions that locals say have repeatedly exposed the lack of basic safety infrastructure on Noida’s service roads. As outrage grows, questions are being raised about why authorities acted only after a life was lost.
Fatal accident in dense fog
The victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, worked as a software engineer at a private firm in Noida. He was returning home from work when his car veered off the poorly marked service road and crashed into a ridge separating two adjacent drainage basins. With visibility reduced to just a few metres due to thick fog, Yuvraj reportedly failed to spot the unguarded edge of the road.
His vehicle plunged nearly 70 feet into a deep ditch filled with water, leaving him trapped inside as the car rapidly submerged. According to eyewitnesses, passers-by heard desperate cries for help and attempted to alert authorities immediately.
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Last call that haunts the family
As the car filled with water, Yuvraj managed to make a phone call to his father, Rajkumar Mehta, in what would be his final conversation.
“Dad, I’ve fallen into a deep pit filled with water. I’m drowning. Please come and save me. I don’t want to die,” the grieving father later recalled, breaking down while narrating the ordeal.
Rajkumar rushed to the spot after receiving the call, but by the time he arrived, rescue operations were already underway. For nearly five agonising hours, divers, local police, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) worked to retrieve the submerged vehicle.
When Yuvraj was finally pulled out, he was rushed for medical assistance but was declared dead.
Allegations of civic negligence
The tragedy has triggered sharp criticism of local authorities, with the victim’s family accusing them of gross negligence. According to Rajkumar Mehta, the service road lacked reflectors, warning signs, barricades, or proper lighting, making it extremely dangerous—especially during foggy winter nights.
“There were no reflectors, no boards, no protection. This accident didn’t happen because of my son’s mistake—it happened because the road itself is a death trap,” he said.
Residents of nearby sectors echoed these claims, stating that they had repeatedly complained to authorities about uncovered drains and the absence of road safety measures, but their concerns were ignored.
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Residents protest, demand accountability
Following the incident, local residents staged protests, raising slogans against the Noida Authority and demanding accountability. Many claimed that the service road near Sector 150 has witnessed multiple near-misses in the past, especially during foggy conditions.
“This could have been any one of us,” said a resident who joined the protest. “The authorities only wake up after someone dies.”
In response to mounting anger, authorities hurriedly filled the deep ditch with garbage and debris—a move that residents criticised as a cosmetic fix rather than a permanent safety solution.
Police promise probe
Knowledge Park Police Station in-charge Sarvesh Kumar said a detailed investigation has been initiated into the incident.
“If any negligence is found on the part of concerned authorities, strict legal action will be taken,” he said, adding that statements from officials responsible for road maintenance will be recorded.
However, the assurance has done little to calm public anger, with many questioning why preventive steps were not taken earlier despite repeated warnings.
A recurring urban problem
Yuvraj Mehta’s death is not an isolated case. Every winter, dense fog exposes the dangers of poorly planned urban infrastructure across the National Capital Region. Uncovered drains, missing reflectors, and inadequate signage have repeatedly contributed to fatal accidents.
Urban planners and safety experts argue that rapid construction without safety audits has made many service roads inherently unsafe. “Basic measures like reflective markers, guardrails, and proper lighting are not optional—they are lifesaving necessities,” said a road safety expert based in Delhi.
A family left behind, questions unanswered
As investigations continue, Yuvraj’s family is left grappling with an unbearable loss—and unanswered questions. His parents say they are determined to pursue the matter legally so that no other family has to endure a similar tragedy.
“My son kept asking for help till his last breath,” his father said. “If the road was safe, he would still be alive today.”
The incident has once again underscored a harsh reality: in India’s fast-growing cities, neglecting basic safety can turn routine commutes into fatal journeys—and accountability often arrives too late.
