Three men die after Google Maps directs car over unfinished bridge

In India, three men tragically lost their lives when their car was directed off an unfinished bridge by a GPS navigation system. The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon while the men were returning home after attending a wedding. They were traveling from Gurgurgam, located southwest of New Delhi, to Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, when their vehicle plunged 30 feet into the Ramganga River after careening off the bridge. Emergency services arrived at the scene the following day to recover the bodies, which were trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Authorities reported that a lack of safety barriers and warning signs near the partially constructed bridge contributed significantly to the accident. It was mentioned that the bridge had suffered damage due to floods in 2022, which led to the collapse of its front part, but this was not accurately reflected in the Google Maps data. Consequently, the driver, unaware of the repairs that had not been completed, unwittingly drove over the unfinished section. Local police quickly initiated an investigation into the accident, interviewing several parties, including four engineers and an employee representing Google Maps. They are examining the negligence surrounding the maintenance of the bridge and the inconsistent information provided by the navigation system. Family members of the victims expressed outrage at the situation, demanding accountability for the absence of precautionary measures along the road and questioning why the bridge was left incomplete without proper signage. This incident raises broader concerns about the reliance on GPS technology in navigating roads that may not be accurately represented. As the investigation progresses, the authorities aim to ensure similar tragedies are prevented in the future by addressing safety standards and updating navigation tools to reflect current road conditions accurately.