Bhandara Accident: Police Havaldar Kishor Hatwar Killed After Truck Hits Police Van on Bypass

BHANDARA, MAHARASHTRA: A police personnel lost his life in a road accident on the new bypass near Bhandara city in the early hours of Saturday, October 24, 2026. The accident occurred on the Nagpur–Raipur National Highway 53 near Salebardi when a truck reportedly collided with a police van and a tractor. The deceased was identified as Kishor Ramesh Hatwar, 41, a police havaldar and driver attached to the traffic police unit in Bhandara. He was on duty with an assistant sub-inspector and another police personnel when the incident took place. According to reports, the police team was patrolling the highway at approximately 4:30 am. The police van had reportedly stopped to ask a tractor driver to move his vehicle away from the roadway when a truck approaching from behind struck the police van and the tractor. The impact left Hatwar and the tractor driver seriously injured. Hatwar was taken to a hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. The tractor driver was identified as Pawan Yuvraj Kapgate, 35, a resident of Umri in Sakoli taluka. He sustained serious injuries in the collision and was taken for medical treatment. Truck Driver Flees After the Collision The truck involved in the accident was reported to be an Eicher vehicle. According to local media reports, its driver fled the scene with the vehicle after the collision. Police are investigating the incident and attempting to trace the driver. The circumstances surrounding the collision, including the movement of the truck and the sequence of events leading to the impact, will be examined as part of the investigation. The reported hit-and-run has added to concerns about road safety on the bypass, particularly during early-morning hours when visibility and traffic conditions can affect motorists. Police Personnel Dies While on Duty Kishor Hatwar was serving as a driver in the Bhandara traffic police unit. His death while performing official duties has caused grief among colleagues and members of the local police force. The incident also highlights the risks faced by police personnel who conduct highway patrols and respond to traffic-related situations on busy roads. Investigation Underway Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the exact cause of the accident and identify the truck driver. Further details regarding the driver's whereabouts and any subsequent police action were not confirmed in the reports reviewed for this article. The incident took place on National Highway 53, an important route connecting Nagpur with Raipur and other parts of the region. The investigation will determine the circumstances of the collision and whether any traffic or vehicle-related factors contributed to the tragedy.