Five women were killed and 17 people, including women and children, injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tractor-trolley carrying villagers returning from a mundan ceremony, in Sitapur on Friday evening, police said.
The victims, residents of Bargawan village, were returning from Khateli village in neighbouring Hardoi district, where they had attended the mundan ceremony of Abhi, the son of Guddu’s sister, at a Shiva temple. Harinam, a resident of Narikhera village under Pihani police station in Hardoi, had also accompanied them. The truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind, causing it to lose balance and overturn on the road. Local residents rushed to the spot and joined police personnel in pulling the injured out from beneath the overturned trolley. Ambulances took them to community health centres (CHCs) in Pisawan and Maholi. Those in critical condition were referred to hospitals in Sitapur. Five women who were taken to the Maholi CHC succumbed to injuries during treatment. The identity of the fifth deceased was yet to be ascertained. Dulari suffered a suspected leg fracture.
Four of them were identified as Kajal, 20, Sushila, 50, her daughter Ruby, 22, and Sunita, 40, all residents of Bargawan, police said. The tractor-trolley overturned due to the impact, trapping several passengers underneath and triggering panic and cries for help, he said. Premwati, Ramwati and Unnati were referred to Sitapur due to their critical condition, while the remaining injured were undergoing treatment at the two CHCs.
The accident occurred around 5pm on the Bargawan-Kulha Ghat road near Himmatnagar village under Pisawan police station limits, according to Sitapur superintendent of police (SP) Ankur Agarwal. Police said Premwati suffered injuries to her right leg, while Ramwati sustained a head injury.
