Teen mechanic dies as car plunges into ditch during test drive

Bhopal: An 18-year-old mechanic, who went to test drive a car, allegedly died while another youth, his helper, sustained injuries after the speeding car overturned and plunged into a roadside ditch near the Arvaliya Jod intersection, close to a cowshed in the Eintkhedi area, on the night of April 9. The injured were rushed to a hospital where the 18-year-old youth died on Saturday while undergoing treatment.

The deceased mechanic was identified as Rehan Ali, 18, a resident of Parewakh eda, Eintkhedi. The injured helper, Shahid, is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Police registered a case and handed over the body to the family after a post-mortem.

Investigation officer Head Constable Siddique Ahmed said that the deceased Rehan worked at a car garage owned by Adnan Bhai, located near Chaurasia Dhaba on the Bypass Road in Eintkhedi. Opposite Adnan's garage is another garage where Shahid, 21, a resident of Garam Gadda, Bajaria, is employed. On the night of the incident, a car was just repaired at Shahid's garage. Around 11 PM, Shahid brought the car to Adnan's garage and asked Rehan to join him for a test drive. Despite Adnan advising Rehan not to go, Shahid insisted, claiming they would be back in just five minutes.

Rehan eventually accompanied Shahid, who was driving the car. They headed toward Arvaliya Jod on the bypass. At the intersection near the cowshed, Shahid attempted to turn the speeding vehicle, causing it to lose control, overturn, and fall into a roadside ditch.

Adnan told the police that after closing the garage, he was preparing to head home when he saw Shahid arrive with the car and persuade Rehan to join him. When they didn't return even after 20 minutes, Adnan grew concerned and went to look for them. Upon reaching Arvaliya Jod, he discovered that the car crashed. With the help of locals, he rescued the duo and rushed them to a private hospital, where Rehan succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning. Shahid sustained only minor injuries. Further investigations are ongoing.