Tragic Accident in Agra Claims Six Lives, Leaves Six Injured
A devastating road accident occurred in Agra on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to six others. The incident involved a speeding container truck that collided with two auto-rickshaws carrying a group of pilgrims returning from a religious journey to Jagannath Puri.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The pilgrims had arrived by train and disembarked at Agra Cantonment railway station. From there, they hired auto-rickshaws to travel back to their homes. The tragic accident took place around noon on Jalesar Road near Nagla Chandan.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Braj Mohan Gautam (55)
- Lakhmi Chand (65)
- Ranveer Singh (70)
- Devki Nandan Singh (60)
- Udayveer Singh (65)
- Saeed Khan (40), one of the auto-rickshaw drivers
All the deceased pilgrims, except Saeed Khan, were residents of Dhadhau village in Hathras district's Sahpau area.
Injured Victims and Police Investigation
Among those injured in the collision were Vijay Singh, a retired sub-inspector of the Uttar Pradesh Police, and the driver of the second auto-rickshaw. The impact of the crash was so severe that both vehicles were mangled beyond recognition.
Agra Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ram Badan Singh provided details of the incident, stating, "The two autos were trying to overtake each other when the truck, coming from the opposite direction, hit them."
After receiving information about the accident, a team from Khandauli police station promptly reached the spot and transported the injured to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Driver Apprehension and Legal Proceedings
Local residents apprehended the container truck driver immediately after the accident and handed him over to the police authorities. While some locals alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, ACP Singh clarified that this could only be confirmed after a proper medical examination.
SHO Khandauli Kuldeep Singh stated that a formal case would be registered once a complaint is filed by the families of the deceased or the injured victims. He added, "We have begun the necessary legal proceedings."
Background of the Victims
Rajeshwar Singh, a resident of Sahpau village, shared insights about the victims, noting, "Most of the deceased come from agrarian backgrounds except for Devki Nandan Singh who was a plumber." This tragic incident has left the community in mourning, particularly affecting families from rural backgrounds who were returning from a spiritual pilgrimage.
The accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in the region, especially involving commercial vehicles and vulnerable road users like auto-rickshaws. Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances that led to this fatal collision.
