UP family follows Google Maps for route, lands in drain; rescued after 2 hours

Hapur, UP,UPDATED: Jun 15, 2026 23:45 IST

Five members of a family, including women and children, were rescued after their car plunged into a water-filled drain while they were following directions provided by Google Maps in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place on Sunday in Hapur when Sahil, a resident of Dadri, was travelling with his family to a relative's house in neighbouring Meerut district.

According to officials, the family was diverted onto an alternative route suggested by Google Maps after a road near the Delhi Phatak overbridge was closed for repair work. As the vehicle entered the Anand Vihar Yojana area in Hapur, Sahil reportedly mistook a flooded stretch for routine waterlogging due to poor visibility and continued driving.

The car subsequently veered off the road and fell into a deep drain concealed beneath the accumulated water. Officials said the vehicle's electronic system malfunctioned after entering the drain, causing the doors to lock and trapping all five occupants inside.

After receiving a distress call through Dial 112, police rushed to the spot and sought assistance from the fire department. Firefighters launched a rescue operation that lasted nearly two hours and managed to safely evacuate all five occupants through the windows.

Chief Fire Officer Ajay Sharma said the family had inadvertently taken the wrong route while relying on Google Maps and was unable to spot the drain because of waterlogging and poor visibility in the area.

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