Days After Mumbai Pillar Collapse, SP Leader Killed As High Mast Pole Falls On Car In UP’s Pratapgarh

• Samajwadi Party leader Lal Bahadur Yadav died after a high mast pole fell on his car in Pratapgarh.
• The accident occurred during installation of the pole near a petrol pump.
• Police have launched a probe into possible negligence and safety lapses.

The death of Samajwadi Party leader Lal Bahadur Yadav in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh after a high mast pillar collapsed onto his car has once again raised serious concerns over public safety and infrastructure practices. The incident occurred just days after a similar pillar collapse in Mumbai triggered alarm over installation and maintenance standards in busy public areas.

In Pratapgarh, the heavy pole fell during installation near a petrol pump, killing Yadav on the spot and prompting a police probe into possible negligence. The back-to-back incidents have intensified questions over safety checks, supervision and accountability in infrastructure work being carried out in crowded urban and semi-urban zones.

How the accident happened

According to police, the deceased has been identified as Lal Bahadur Yadav, who was travelling towards Pratapgarh city when the accident took place just a few hundred metres from his residence. A nearly 65-foot-high mast pole, reportedly weighing around 40 quintals, was being erected with a crane when the strap holding it snapped.

The heavy structure fell directly onto Yadav's car, causing severe damage and critical injuries.

Key details of the incident:

• High mast pole collapsed during installation after crane strap reportedly snapped
• Taken to hospital
• Locals rushed to the spot after hearing a loud crash and helped pull Yadav out of the damaged vehicle. He was immediately taken to a nearby community health centre but was declared dead on arrival by doctors.
• Witnesses described the incident as sudden and shocking, with many saying the pole fell within seconds, leaving no time to react.

Police begin investigation

Police have registered the matter and launched an inquiry to examine whether there was any negligence in the installation process and safety arrangements at the site. Officials said further action will depend on findings of the investigation.

About the deceased

Lal Bahadur Yadav, 48, was a local Samajwadi Party leader and a contractor by profession. He had also contested local civic elections in the past. He is survived by his family, including his wife and children.

Family members and locals remembered him as an active community member, and his sudden death has left the area in mourning.