In a tragic incident early Sunday morning, two Indian Navy personnel lost their lives in a road accident in Bhopal. Chief Petty Officer Vishnu Raghunathan, 27, a celebrated gold medalist from the recent Asia Cup, and 18-year-old Petty Officer Ananth Krishnan were involved in the mishap around 3 a.m. in the Parwalia area when their motorcycle was struck by an unidentified speeding vehicle near Raksha Bihar Colony.
Both officers were in Bhopal participating in a naval training camp and were on their way to the Boat Club for an early morning kayaking session when the accident occurred. Eyewitness accounts state that their teammates discovered the pair gravely injured at the scene and immediately transported them to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, Vishnu succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, while Ananth passed away during treatment later that morning.
Investigations by the police revealed that forensic teams recovered blood stains, helmets, and a broken pole from the collision site, indicating a high-impact crash with a heavy vehicle. The motorcycle was reportedly mangled beyond recognition, underscoring the severity of the impact.
Vishnu Raghunathan hailed from Kerala and was regarded as one of India’s brightest kayaking talents, having clinched gold in the 1000m K-2 event at the 2024 Asia Cup held in Hong Kong. His untimely death has drawn attention to the risks faced by athletes training in the early hours.
In response to the incident, police have registered a case and are currently reviewing CCTV footage from nearby defense colony cameras in an effort to identify the vehicle and its driver responsible for the collision. Witnesses noted that both personnel were wearing helmets at the time, although the force of the crash was devastating.
This tragic accident is part of a troubling trend in Madhya Pradesh, where multiple hit-and-run incidents have been reported over the weekend. In Indore, two young men lost their lives, and another was critically injured after a speeding SUV collided with their motorcycle. Additionally, a separate incident in Bhopal involving a drunk driver resulted in numerous injuries after multiple vehicles were struck late Saturday night.
Authorities have responded to the alarming rise in road incidents by increasing surveillance measures and urging drivers to practice caution. The tragic loss of life among these young naval officers serves as a grim reminder of the pressing need for safer road practices in the region.
