GPS glitch turns wedding trip into life-threatening ordeal in Jhansi

A growing series of GPS-related mishaps—including a fatal drain plunge in Greater Noida and a near-fatal fall into a dry canal in Bareilly—highlights the dangers of blindly trusting navigation in poorly mapped areas

A wedding party in Jhansi narrowly escaped a devastating tragedy after following GPS directions that led them onto a railway track, where their car became stuck in the ballast. The incident took place at Magarpur railway station in the Sakrar police station area, causing alarm and highlighting the dangers of blind reliance on GPS.

The three individuals, traveling in a car to attend a wedding in Lalitpur, were navigating via GPS when they mistakenly ended up on a railway crossing. The vehicle became trapped in the gravel on the tracks, and despite the driver’s attempts to free the car, they couldn’t escape in time as the Bundelkhand Express approached at high speed.

In a dramatic escape, the three youths managed to jump out of the vehicle just moments before the train arrived. The Bundelkhand Express collided with the car, demolishing it instantly. The train managed to stop after a short distance, but fortunately, it did not derail. Authorities noted that the railway crossing lacked a safety gate, and despite the engine pilot’s efforts to apply emergency brakes, the car was completely destroyed upon impact.

Public Relations Officer Manoj Kumar Singh confirmed that the vehicle’s owner had been identified through its number plate. Legal action will be taken under the Railway Act against the owner for causing the incident.

Rising GPS-related accidents highlight risks

This incident follows a troubling pattern of GPS-related accidents. Just a month earlier, a station master in Greater Noida tragically lost his life when his car plunged into a 30-foot-deep drain after following misleading GPS instructions. Saurav, a delivery agent, pointed out that while GPS often indicates a straight path, the reality is that vehicles coming from the opposite direction are forced to make a U-turn, leading to dangerous situations and frequent accidents.

Moreover, in December 2024, three individuals narrowly avoided death in Bareilly when GPS directed them toward a collapsed bridge near Kalapura Canal. The vehicle plunged about 15 feet into the canal bed, but fortunately, the canal was dry at the time, preventing further injuries.

These incidents underscore the importance of exercising caution and not relying solely on GPS navigation, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure or unclear directions.