New Delhi: A loaded van and an auto-rickshaw collided on Wednesday night in the Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh, resulting in eight deaths, including a child, on the scene and 10 other serious injuries, news agency PTI reported. The accident took place on the National Highway in the Maudaha Kotwali area of Hamirpur. The ones injured, have been shifted to a hospital for treatment, informed Vivek Yadav, Circle Officer Maudaha.
This incident along this highway is the 12th of its kind to occur in the previous month.
The deceased include Shyambabu (35), his wife Mamta (30), their two young daughters Ragini (15) and Dipanjali (7), auto-driver Rajesh Verma (26) son of Prahlad resident of Ingohta, one Pancha (50), Vijay (26) and Rajulia (45), said the Circle Officer.
Police said the pickup van was going to Mauhada from Lucknow with mangoes in it. It collided with an overloaded auto carrying passengers. After the mishap, the bodies scattered on the road.
The locals rushed to the spot and removed those trapped inside the auto. They also informed the ambulance and police, after which they were taken to the hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for speedy recovery of the ones injured.
He tweeted, “ The accident in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh is very painful. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the injured for a speedy recovery. The state government and the local administration are doing all they can to help the injured,"
Along with the PM, Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also expressed his profound sorrow over the deaths of the eight people. He has also instructed the administration to offer appropriate medical attention to those hurt in the accident.