26-Year-Old Delhi Man Dies in Tragic Accident After Helping Others Throughout His Life

Pratham helped run the family's cosmetics business in Sadar Bazar (Representational)

New Delhi:

The family of a 26-year-old man who died in a road accident in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar described him as a good samaritan who once rushed an injured delivery agent to hospital. They believe he might have survived if someone had stopped to help him.

The victim, Pratham Malik, died after his SUV crashed into a tree when he and his friend Aditya (25) were returning from a wedding function early Tuesday, according to police. Aditya remains in critical condition.

Pratham's uncle Praveen Malik told PTI that Pratham made his last call to the PCR (Police Control Room), after which he is believed to have lost consciousness due to severe head injuries.

Following the death of his father 23 years ago, Pratham had been helping run the family's cosmetics business in Sadar Bazar alongside his elder brother.

Praveen described his nephew as "helpful, charming and jolly," noting that Pratham was deeply loved by neighbors and relatives alike.

"He had this habit of stopping to help people. Once, he saw a delivery boy injured on the road, bleeding and crying for help. Pratham immediately put him in his own car and drove him straight to the hospital. He was always ready to help someone in need," he recounted.

The uncle expressed that what pains the family most is the belief that Pratham might have survived had someone stopped to assist him. "When he needed help, no one came," he lamented.

"He was found lying 20 feet from the car in the middle of the road. For how long was he lying there? Did anyone even try to call police? His bracelet and wallet were missing. My boy, who spent his life helping others, got no help from anyone," Praveen said with anguish.

Praveen became emotional while discussing the impact of Pratham's death on his mother. "His mother lost her husband when Pratham was an infant. She raised both boys on her own. Pratham was younger and he cared for her deeply." He added that the family remains hopeful for Aditya's recovery.

"The friend who was with him was taken to the hospital by a divine soul - someone who did what we wish someone had done for our child. He is fighting for his life. We pray he survives," the uncle said.

According to police, they received a PCR call at 4:49 am about a serious accident in Ashok Vihar. They found an SUV severely damaged on the footpath. The team inspected the site but could not locate any eyewitnesses.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh stated that preliminary investigation suggests the vehicle collided with a tree at a very high speed.

Police have registered a case under sections 281 (rash driving) and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.