'Save me': Eyewitness recounts Atiq Ahmed's son Abaan's final moments after fatal crash

LUCKNOW: Abaan Ahmed (21), the youngest son of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, was killed in a road accident on Thursday morning after the SUV he was travelling in crashed into a road divider in Jhansi district. One of his friends also died in the accident, while three others sustained injuries.According to police, the accident occurred at around 10.30 am near Poonch police station, about 70 km from Jhansi, when a speeding Hyundai Creta travelling from Prayagraj towards Jhansi lost control and rammed into a divider. The impact was so severe that the vehicle was thrown several feet into the air and was completely mangled, scattering debris across nearly 40 feet of the highway.Abaan was travelling with four friends to meet his elder brother, Ali Ahmed, who is lodged in Jhansi Jail. He was seated in the front passenger seat, while Mohammad Zaid was driving the vehicle. The occupants became trapped inside the mangled SUV before police and local residents broke open the doors and rescued them.Abaan and his friend Sonu succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The three injured — Mohammad Zaid, Umar Ahmed and Aslam — were admitted to Jhansi Medical College, where they are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition is stable.Conflicting accounts on the cause of the crashInvestigators are examining multiple possible causes of the accident. Eyewitness Deepak Yadav claimed that a calf suddenly appeared on the highway, prompting the driver to swerve left to avoid hitting it. As the vehicle swerved, it reportedly encountered a motorcycle, forcing another abrupt manoeuvre before crashing into the divider.However, injured survivor Umar Ahmed told the media that the SUV became uncontrollable after hitting a brick lying on the highway.Police also said the road was wet due to light rain and that excessive speed may have contributed to the accident.Eyewitness recounts rescue effortDeepak Yadav, one of the first people to reach the crash site, said the SUV appeared to be travelling at over 120 kmph. Unable to open the jammed doors, he called the police and fetched an iron rod from a nearby house to pry the vehicle open.He said the first occupant he rescued identified himself as Abaan and pleaded, "Save me," before losing consciousness. Police reached the spot within minutes and helped rescue the remaining occupants.Police investigationJhansi Senior Superintendent of Police BBGTS Murthy said the accident was reported at around 10.30 am. Preliminary findings indicate that the speeding SUV lost control before striking the divider. A forensic team has examined the scene, and statements from the injured survivors and eyewitnesses are being recorded.Abaan's body has been sent to Jhansi Medical College for a post-mortem examination. After the autopsy, it will be handed over to his family. He is expected to be buried in Prayagraj alongside his father, Atiq Ahmed, on Friday.BackgroundAbaan was the youngest of Atiq Ahmed's five sons. His elder brother, Asad Ahmed, was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi in 2023. Another brother, Ali Ahmed, is currently lodged in Jhansi Jail, while Umar Ahmed is imprisoned in Lucknow. Their mother, Shaista Parveen, who has been absconding since 2023 in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case, remains wanted by the police. Authorities have not confirmed whether she will attend her son's funeral.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.