Lucknow Hit-and-Run Tragedy: Six Pedestrians Struck, One Child Dead
In a devastating incident in Lucknow, a speeding car plowed into six pedestrians near the Hanuman Temple on Kanpur Road in the Banthra area on Thursday night, resulting in the death of a six-year-old boy and injuries to five others. Police have swiftly arrested the accused driver, 21-year-old Gaurav Singh, based on conclusive evidence from CCTV footage.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The tragic event unfolded around 8:30 PM when a car traveling from Lucknow towards Kanpur allegedly first rammed into a parked motorcycle before careening into pedestrians along the roadside. Eyewitnesses reported that when locals attempted to intervene after the initial collision, the driver accelerated in a desperate bid to escape, striking multiple individuals over a stretch of nearly 100 meters. The vehicle finally collided with a parked auto-rickshaw before the driver fled the scene.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The youngest victim, six-year-old Dikshant, son of Sadhana Patel from Atwa Khurd in Unnao district, succumbed to critical injuries at the Sarojini Nagar Community Health Centre. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination. The five other injured individuals include two women, two children, and an e-rickshaw driver, all of whom are currently undergoing medical treatment.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Law enforcement authorities acted promptly following the incident. Banthra Station House Officer Rana Rajesh Singh stated that CCTV footage from nearby establishments was meticulously scanned overnight. This digital evidence led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Gaurav Singh within hours of the hit-and-run. The vehicle involved has also been seized by the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for the South Zone, Nipun Agarwal, provided additional details, confirming that the arrested individual, Gaurav Singh, is the son of a construction material store owner in Banthra. Interestingly, the car used in the incident did not belong to Gaurav but to a friend, with registration plates from Kanpur district.
Additional Developments and Legal Proceedings
During the investigation, police detained a teenage girl who was reportedly inside the car at the time of the accident. Her questioning proved crucial as she identified Gaurav Singh as the driver. A formal case has been registered, and further legal actions are currently underway to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of reckless driving and underscores the importance of road safety measures. The community remains in shock as authorities continue their investigation into this tragic event that has left one family mourning and multiple others recovering from injuries.
