Ananya Lohia , Maihar - A birthday celebration turned tragic after five people were killed and one was critically injured in a horrific road accident on National Highway 30 in Madhya Pradesh's Maihar district during the early hours of Tuesday.

According to police, the victims were travelling in an SUV after attending the birthday celebration of Amarpatan Janpad Panchayat Vice President Manoj Patel when the speeding vehicle lost control and rammed into the rear of a moving truck around 2 am. The impact was so severe that the SUV was completely mangled, trapping all six occupants inside.

Rescue teams and police rushed to the spot and pulled the victims from the wreckage. Five occupants died, while the lone survivor, Om Patel, was admitted to a hospital before being referred to Satna Medical College, where he remains in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Ankur Patel, Mridul Patel, Vijay Patel, Harishankar Patel and Shiva Patel.

Police said all six belonged to families of former Independent MLA Lalji Bhai Patel and late Congress MLA Mathura Patel. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.