Himmatnagar highway crash: 1 pilgrim killed, 11 hurt as SUV hits Ambaji devotees
Synopsis
A speeding Scorpio mowed down a group of pilgrims walking to the Ambaji temple near Himmatnagar, killing one and injuring 11. The driver was intercepted by an angry crowd who set the vehicle on fire. With 40 lakh devotees expected this season and an alcohol allegation still unconfirmed, the crash raises urgent questions about pedestrian safety on Gujarat's pilgrimage highways.
Key Takeaways
One pilgrim was killed and 11 others injured after a speeding Mahindra Scorpio struck devotees near Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha on 21 September 2026 .
The victims were walking to the Ambaji temple ahead of the annual pilgrimage season, which draws an estimated 40 lakh visitors this year.
Driver Bharat Patel has been detained and an FIR is being registered; preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was travelling at high speed.
Locals intercepted the driver after he allegedly tried to flee and set the SUV on fire .
Locals alleged the driver was under the influence of alcohol; police have not confirmed intoxication and the investigation is continuing.
Gujarat's prohibition laws restrict alcohol possession and consumption, adding potential legal weight if intoxication is confirmed.
One pilgrim was killed and 11 others were injured on Monday, 21 September 2026, after a speeding Mahindra Scorpio ploughed into a group of devotees walking along a four-lane highway near Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat. The collision, which occurred at the Dolgarh-Patiya highway intersection, triggered a violent public reaction — locals intercepted the driver and set the vehicle ablaze.
How the Crash Unfolded
The pilgrims were travelling on foot towards the Ambaji temple — a route thousands of devotees traverse annually ahead of the temple's major pilgrimage season — when the SUV struck them at high speed. Sabarkantha Superintendent of Police Dr Parthrajsinh Gohil confirmed that the driver, identified as Bharat Patel, was headed towards his village at the time of the crash.
'Around 12 people have sustained injuries, of which one person has died while receiving treatment. Currently, the driver has been detained, and further investigation is going on. An FIR is also being registered against him,' SP Gohil said. He added that preliminary information pointed to excessive speed as the primary cause, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Vehicle Set on Fire, Driver Detained
Following the collision, the driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene. An enraged crowd intercepted him, with videos from the spot showing locals surrounding the SUV and striking its bonnet and windows with sticks before the vehicle was engulfed in flames, sending thick smoke billowing across the highway.
Police teams were swiftly deployed to the location to control the situation. Officials and personnel from neighbouring districts were also mobilised as the gathering grew. The driver is currently in custody.
Alcohol Allegations and Prohibition Context
Locals alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. A video purportedly shot from inside the vehicle showed an empty alcohol bottle. However, police have not confirmed the driver's alleged intoxication, and a formal examination is part of the continuing investigation.
The allegation carries particular weight given that Gujarat operates under a prohibition regime, with state laws restricting both the possession and consumption of alcohol. If confirmed, it would add a serious charge to the existing case.
Ambaji Pilgrimage Season and Scale
The victims were among the large numbers of devotees who traditionally walk towards the Ambaji temple from various parts of Gujarat ahead of the annual pilgrimage season. Authorities are expecting approximately 40 lakh visitors this year, making pedestrian safety along approach highways a pressing concern.
This is not the first time pilgrims on foot have been endangered by fast-moving vehicles on highways leading to major temples; road safety advocates have repeatedly called for dedicated pedestrian corridors during pilgrimage seasons. As the investigation progresses, further details on the driver's condition and the precise sequence of events are expected to emerge.
Point of View
Yet dedicated safe corridors remain an afterthought. The crowd's fury — burning the vehicle on the spot — reflects accumulated frustration at seeing devotees mowed down with little accountability. The unconfirmed alcohol angle, if substantiated, would be explosive in a prohibition state, raising questions about enforcement. Authorities announcing 40 lakh expected visitors while pilgrims walk unprotected on a four-lane highway is a contradiction that demands an answer before the next tragedy.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Himmatnagar highway accident on 21 September 2026?
A speeding Mahindra Scorpio struck a group of pilgrims walking towards the Ambaji temple near Himmatnagar on the Dolgarh-Patiya highway intersection in Sabarkantha, Gujarat. One pilgrim died during treatment and 11 others were injured; the driver, Bharat Patel, has been detained and an FIR is being registered.
Who is the driver and what action has been taken?
The driver has been identified as Bharat Patel, who was reportedly travelling towards his village at the time of the crash. He has been detained by police and an FIR is being registered against him, with the investigation still under way.
Why did locals set the SUV on fire?
After the collision, the driver allegedly attempted to leave the scene, prompting an enraged crowd to intercept him. Videos from the spot show locals striking the vehicle with sticks before it was set ablaze; police were deployed to control the situation.
Was the driver drunk? Does Gujarat have alcohol laws?
Locals alleged the driver was under the influence of alcohol, and a video from inside the vehicle reportedly showed an empty bottle, but police have not confirmed intoxication and are investigating. Gujarat enforces a prohibition regime that restricts both the possession and consumption of alcohol.
Who were the victims and why were they on the highway?
The victims were pilgrims walking on foot to the Ambaji temple as part of the annual pilgrimage season, a tradition observed by large numbers of devotees from across Gujarat. Authorities expect around 40 lakh visitors at the temple this season.
