Chitrakoot: At least four pilgrims, including a six-year-old child, were killed and 12 others sustained serious injuries after a tractor-trolley overturned on the Jhansi-Mirzapur National Highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district in the early hours of Monday.
The accident occurred at around 2.30 a.m. near the power house, close to Ramnagar town, under the jurisdiction of Raipura police station.
According to preliminary information, the coupling pin (hitch) connecting the tractor to its trolley suddenly broke, causing the trolley to lose control, veer off the highway and overturn into a roadside ditch.
The victims were part of a group of pilgrims returning to Prayagraj after performing the ‘deepdaan’ ritual, during which lamps are offered as part of religious prayers.
The group had travelled to Chitrakoot to participate in the religious observances and was heading back when the accident took place.
After receiving information about the accident, police personnel rushed to the location and initiated rescue efforts. The injured passengers were pulled out from beneath the overturned trolley, officials said.
Among the 12 injured, seven were initially taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ramnagar before being referred to the District Hospital for further treatment due to the severity of their injuries.
Doctors at the health centre declared four people dead.
According to the officials, bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem, and families have been informed.
Further details regarding the condition of those injured and the circumstances surrounding the accident are awaited.
In a separate incident, a bus carrying 50–60 passengers from Rewari to Chhapra, Bihar, overturned near Zero Point Mohan on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway.
Fire and emergency services rescued 15–16 trapped passengers, including a child, within 35 minutes using a Multi Disaster Rescue Vehicle (MDRV).
Seriously injured passengers were rushed to the KGMU Trauma Centre for treatment.
Police and rescue teams were present at the spot.
(IANS)
