Four engineers and a Google Maps official have been booked following a tragic accident where three men lost their lives after their car drove off an under-construction bridge while relying on directions from the navigation app, authorities reported.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the FIR names two assistant engineers and two junior engineers from the PWD, as well as “unknown persons.” The local Google Maps representative is also under investigation and his name is yet to be indicated in the FIR.
“Apart from corrective measures at the site, FIR under section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the BNS has been registered against 2 Assistant Engineers and 2 Junior Engineers of PWD and unknown persons,” said Budaun district magistrate Nidhi Srivastava.
How Google Maps ‘led’ car driver to unfinished bridge
Brothers Nitin and Ajit, both 30 and and Amit, 40, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding. Citing police in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, the report by news agency PTI said that Google Maps directed the driver onto the unfinished bridge, which had a section collapsed from earlier flood damage. The bridge lacked any barriers or warning signs.
The car fell into the Ramganga River from a partially constructed bridge in Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday. Srivastava stated that the PWD and Setu Nigam have been ordered to inspect all roads and bridges in the area to prevent similar incidents.
What Google has to say
A Google spokesperson offered condolences and confirmed their cooperation with the investigation.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We’re working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue,” the spokesperson said.
Faridpur Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said a portion of the bridge was destroyed in a flood.
“Earlier this year, floods caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse onto the river, but this change had not been updated in the system,” he said.
