• Source:JND
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A 114-year-old marathon runner, Fauja Singh, died in a tragic hit-and-run accident on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday morning. Nearly 24 hours after the incident, police have identified the vehicle involved—a white Toyota Fortuner registered in Punjab, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the police, CCTV footage from nearby areas helped them trace the SUV, which sped away after hitting Singh while he was crossing the road near his native village. However, the driver is yet to be located, and a search is currently underway.

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Police said multiple teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend the accused. Fauja Singh, celebrated worldwide as the oldest marathon runner, sustained severe head injuries in the crash and later died in the hospital.

Here Are the Key Developments So Far 

1. Fauja Singh, the Indian-British Sikh marathon runner of Punjabi descent, was tragically hit by an unidentified vehicle while attempting to cross the road in his native village of Beas Pind near Jalandhar, Punjab. The incident occurred on Monday and led to his untimely death at the age of 114.

2. The local police were alerted to the accident by one of Fauja Singh’s relatives. Officers from the Jalandhar rural police arrived at the scene after receiving the information and began initial inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

3. A police officer confirmed to the media that Singh was hit while crossing the road. He mentioned that a special team had been formed to investigate the matter, adding that the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run case was likely a car. The identity of the driver and the vehicle remains unknown as of now.

4. The death of Fauja Singh, widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, was confirmed shortly after the accident. His passing marks the end of an era for the global athletic and Sikh communities, where he was seen as a symbol of endurance, spirit, and lifelong fitness.

5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Fauja Singh’s demise. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister praised Singh for his exceptional determination and the way he inspired Indian youth to embrace fitness and healthy living.

In his tribute, PM Modi wrote, “Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination.” Modi also conveyed his condolences to Singh’s family and his admirers across the globe, expressing pain over the legendary athlete's passing.

Who Is Marathon Runner Fauja Singh

Singh, famously known as the 'Turbaned Tornado', was a global symbol of resilience. Born in 1911, he lived through monumental events like the two World Wars and India’s Partition. After moving to England in the 1990s, personal tragedy led him to embrace running in his late 80s.

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At 89, he debuted in the 2000 London Marathon and later ran in Toronto, New York, and Hong Kong. He was an Olympic torchbearer, featured in global campaigns with legends like Beckham and Ali, and earned the BrandLaureate Award in 2012. Even after retiring at 102, he continued running for health and charity.