UP News: At least two people died and 25 others sustained injuries on Friday after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees overturned on the Sitapur road and fell into a ditch in Hardoi district, news agency PTI reported, citing police. The accident occurred when the devotees were returning to their homes after attending a Shiva procession. According to the police, the accident took place near a Dharam Kanta in Shuklapur village in the Beniganj police station area.
The occupants of the vehicle were returning after attending a religious programme in Birajikheda, PTI reported, citing sources. The tractor lost control and fell into the ditch while trying to avoid hitting stray cattle, the sources further stated.
According to the police, the two people who died in the accident were identified as Pooja (16) and Anita (30), PTI reported. The two died on the spot, while 25 people, comprising men, women, and children, were wounded in the accident.
The injured people were admitted to a hospital. District Magistrate Mangala Prasad Singh, Superintendent of Police Keshav Chandra Goswami, and CMO Rohtas Kumar reached the hospital, where they were admitted.
Speaking about the accident, the DM said that the circumstances under which the accident took place are not known and are being investigated. The injured said the accident occurred while the driver of the tractor tried to save stray cattle that came on the road, as reported by PTI.