A tragic incident in the Fatehwadi Canal near the Juhapura-Sarkhej area has left the city in shock. In a reckless attempt to shoot social media reels, three young men drove a rented Scorpio car into the canal, resulting in two confirmed fatalities while one remains missing.  

The first body recovered was that of Yaksh Bhankodiya. According to sources, Yaksh was initially driving the vehicle but handed over control to Yash Solanki moments before the accident. After hours of search operation, Yash’s body was also found. However, there is still no trace of Krish Dave, the third occupant of the ill-fated vehicle.  

13-hour search operation continues  

For over 13 hours, Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services teams have been tirelessly scouring the canal in the hope of finding Krish. Investigations reveal that Yaksh was at the wheel initially, but upon reaching a stretch near Vasna Barrage Road, he let Yash take over. Unfortunately, Yash was inexperienced in driving and mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, sending the car plunging straight into the canal, police sources said.  

The vehicle was rented for ₹3,500 for a 4-hour duration, with the intention of recording reels to showcase on social media. M Division Traffic Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have once again urged parents to be vigilant as the obsession with social media fame is increasingly putting young lives at risk.  

How it all unfolded  

The series of events unfolded on Wednesday evening when Maulik Jaleria rented a self-drive Scorpio car. He, along with Uday Vyanta (New Vasna) and Dhruv Solanki (Vejalpur), drove to Vasna Bhatha Canal Road, where they met friends Viraj Singh Rathod (Paldi), Yaksh Bhankodiya (Ambawadi), Yash Solanki (Ambawadi), and Krish Dave (Paldi).  

Yaksh took the car for a drive from Vasna Barrage Road before allowing Yash to take control. At the time, Krish was also inside the vehicle. However, Yash’s lack of driving skills proved fatal—his mistake sent the car straight into the canal. 

Realising the gravity of the situation, Viraj Singh Rathod attempted to rescue them by throwing a rope, but the three youths were already being swept away by the strong currents. Nearby locals rushed to the scene and immediately alerted the fire brigade and police control room. Following the distress call, officers from Vasna police station, including Police Inspector R N Patel and senior officials, arrived promptly at the scene. Local divers were also engaged in the search, but they found no occupants inside the submerged vehicle.  

Water flow in barrage stopped 

Preliminary police reports indicate that the youths had rented the vehicle solely for the purpose of shooting reels and had driven to the canal for this purpose. Upon learning of the tragedy, the police informed the families of the victims, who arrived at the location as rescue operations were underway.  

Local councillor Mehul Shah stated that upon receiving news of the car sinking, authorities swiftly halted the water flow from the barrage and used a crane to retrieve the vehicle. Fire brigade officials have also alerted villages along the canal’s route to assist in locating the missing individual.  

As search efforts continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless behaviour in pursuit of fleeting social media fame. Authorities are urging young individuals to exercise caution and prioritise safety over viral content.