Noida Tragedy: Rescuer’s Changing Account Raises Questions Over Emergency Response

A fresh controversy has emerged in connection with the death of a 26-year-old software professional who drowned after his car plunged into a water-filled excavation site in Noida’s Sector 150. The focus has now shifted to the differing statements made by a delivery worker who attempted to assist in the rescue, with his revised account sharply contradicting his earlier version of events.

The incident occurred late at night when the victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, lost control of his vehicle in dense fog. His car reportedly crashed through a damaged boundary wall and fell into a flooded pit at an under-construction site. Despite being alive for a significant period after the accident, Yuvraj could not be saved.

Initial Claims of Delayed Response

Soon after the incident, Moninder, a delivery worker who was present at the site, told reporters that emergency services failed to act promptly. In his initial account, he alleged that personnel from the police, disaster response teams and the fire department remained on the spot for over an hour without entering the water.

According to that version, Yuvraj was heard calling for help for nearly one to two hours after the accident. Moninder claimed that responders expressed concerns about cold water and the possible presence of submerged construction material, which prevented them from attempting an immediate rescue. He said that by the time he himself entered the pit using a rope, the victim had already drowned.

These statements echoed allegations made by the victim’s family, who questioned why no decisive action was taken despite the young man being visible and audible for a long duration.

Revised Statement Changes Narrative

Days later, Moninder released a self-recorded video presenting a markedly different sequence of events. In this version, he stated that the police reached the spot within minutes of being informed and that rescue efforts were underway when he arrived.

He further claimed that specialised response teams and the fire brigade arrived shortly thereafter and attempted to locate both the vehicle and the victim, but visibility was severely affected due to fog and darkness. According to this statement, authorities were eventually able to retrieve both the car and the victim from the water.

The shift in narrative has drawn public attention, particularly as the revised account was not made in response to questions from journalists or officials, but circulated independently through social media platforms.

Public Reaction and Ongoing Questions

The contrasting versions have fuelled speculation online, with users questioning the circumstances under which the second statement was released. While no official comment has been made on the matter, the inconsistency has added to public concern over transparency and accountability in the handling of the incident.

Further details that have surfaced suggest that the victim had managed to climb out of his partially submerged vehicle and stood on its roof for a prolonged period, repeatedly seeking help. Officials on the scene reportedly hesitated to enter the water due to safety concerns linked to the excavation site.

History of Accidents at the Site

The location of the accident has also come under scrutiny. Reports indicate that similar incidents had occurred earlier at the same spot due to poor visibility, lack of warning signs and inadequate safety measures. Moninder himself had previously assisted in rescuing a truck driver who fell into the same pit under comparable conditions.

The truck driver later stated that the area lacked reflectors and proper barricading, making it extremely dangerous, especially during foggy nights. He also alleged that instead of addressing the safety hazard, authorities initially blamed him for damaging the boundary wall.

Administrative and Legal Action

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken administrative action by removing the Chief Executive Officer of the Noida Authority from his post and placing him on a waiting assignment. The move signals official acknowledgment of lapses in oversight.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case against two real estate firms associated with the site. Charges include causing death by negligence and endangering public safety. The companies involved have denied responsibility, each stating that ownership and construction permissions were subject to prior transfers and approvals by the local authority.

Investigations are ongoing to determine accountability for the unsafe conditions at the site and the sequence of actions taken on the night of the incident.

Wider Concerns Over Urban Safety

The death has triggered widespread debate over urban planning, construction safety and emergency preparedness in rapidly developing regions like Noida. Residents and civic groups have called for stricter enforcement of safety norms, better lighting and signage near construction zones, and clearer protocols for emergency response.

As authorities continue their inquiry, the case has become a stark reminder of the risks posed by inadequate infrastructure safeguards and the critical importance of swift, coordinated rescue efforts. For the victim’s family, clarity and accountability remain central demands as they seek answers about whether the tragedy could have been prevented.