Car Crash in India: Goat Survives But Four Dies

Car Crash in India: Goat Survives But Four Dies

A devastating accident claimed the lives of four men on Thursday when their SUV plunged off a bridge into the Somvati River in Jabalpur’s Chargawan area.

The group was returning from a temple ritual involving a symbolic goat sacrifice, but in a bizarre twist, the goat emerged unscathed while two other passengers were seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 3:30–3:45 PM, about 45 kilometers from Jabalpur city, as the Scorpio SUV, carrying six people and the goat, lost control on the Chargawan-Jabalpur road.

Authorities suspect the driver may have been speeding, possibly under the influence of alcohol, causing the vehicle to break through the bridge’s railing and crash onto the dry riverbed below.

The victims, identified as Kishan Patel, Sagar Patel, Rajendra Patel, and Mahendra Patel, all residents of Bhedaghat Chowkital, died on the spot. The two survivors are receiving treatment for critical injuries.

According to police reports, the group had visited the Dulha Dev Maharaj temple in Narsinghpur district, where they performed a ritual known as a symbolic goat sacrifice.

In this practice, only the animal’s ear is cut, sparing its life. The goat was in the vehicle during the crash but miraculously escaped unharmed, astonishing locals and first responders who rushed to the scene.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic rescue effort, with locals pulling two bodies from the wreckage before emergency services arrived to cut open the mangled SUV.

“The car lost balance and went straight off the edge,” said one witness. “It’s unbelievable that the goat walked away without a scratch.”

The Chargawan Police have registered a case and are investigating, awaiting postmortem reports and survivor statements to confirm the cause.

Bargi City Superintendent of Police Anjul Mishra told reporters that initial findings point to reckless driving, with alcohol possibly playing a role.

Public Reaction

The incident has sparked varied reactions online and in the community. On social media platforms like X, some users expressed shock and sorrow, while others found dark humor in the goat’s survival.

“The goat probably prayed harder than all of them combined,” one post quipped. Another user remarked, “It’s like the goat was meant to live, but this is such a tragedy for the families.”

Many urged respect for the victims’ loved ones, emphasizing the pain of their loss.

Local residents expressed disbelief at the goat’s escape. “It’s strange how fate works,” said Anil Kumar, a shopkeeper near the crash site. “Four lives gone, and the animal they were taking for a ritual walks free.”

Similar Incidents

This isn’t the first time a ritual-related journey has ended in tragedy. In 2022, a similar accident in Uttar Pradesh saw a truck carrying devotees to a temple crash, killing three and injuring several.

Like this case, alcohol was suspected as a factor. Animal sacrifice rituals, though controversial, remain common in parts of India, sometimes leading to unexpected incidents.

Read this:

In 2019, a stampede at a Bihar temple during a goat sacrifice festival killed 10 people, highlighting the risks of large gatherings tied to such practices.

The Jabalpur crash serves as a grim reminder of the dangers on India’s roads, especially when combined with factors like speeding or intoxication. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of four lives, while the survival of the goat remains a haunting footnote to this tragic tale.

Sources: Local news reports and police statements from Jabalpur, April 2025.

Share This Post: