A tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district claimed the lives of six women and left three others injured on Wednesday. The accident occurred when two speeding tractors, allegedly racing each other, rammed and ran over an e-rickshaw on the Kachla-Ujhani highway near Phoolpur area under Ujhani Kotwali limits, police said.
The victims were identified as Rajkumari (55), Ganga Shri (32), Rewati (80), Prem Devi (45), Narayani Devi (32), and Aarti (in her 20s). They were residents of Mohalla Murawan Nagla in Kachla and were traveling to a neighboring village for a pre-wedding ritual called "bhat," part of the wedding preparations for Kunwar Pal, son of Dal Singh. The wedding was scheduled for June 29. What began as a festive occasion ended in tragedy as the family gathered at the hospital to identify the bodies.
Eyewitnesses reported that both tractors were moving at high speed on the same lane of the under-construction highway when the e-rickshaw came ahead. The first tractor hit the vehicle, while the second ran over it, crushing the e-rickshaw and trapping several occupants, who suffered grievous injuries. Bystanders rushed to help and alerted the police. The injured were taken to the hospital, where six women were declared dead on arrival.
Police investigations revealed that the tractor drivers had earlier unloaded maize at Ujhani Mandi and were returning when the crash occurred. One driver fled with his tractor-trolley, while the other abandoned his vehicle at the spot and escaped on foot. Some motorcycle riders attempted to intercept them but failed. Police later seized the abandoned tractor-trolley and launched a search for both drivers.
DIG Ajay Sahani told TOI, "Both the accused drivers who were racing and led to the death of six women have been identified." Police said teams are conducting raids to arrest them and are also examining whether the tractors had valid documents and whether the drivers were authorized to operate them.
Ujhani CO Sunil Kumar Singh said police are completing legal formalities and waiting for the family's complaint. "We are in the process of filing an FIR. As of now, the grieving family is focusing on cremating their loved ones, following which they will file a complaint," Singh said.
The injured, including e-rickshaw driver Sunny (32) and Dal Singh (58), were admitted to the Government Medical College. The district magistrate and SSP visited the accident site and the hospital. Officials said the highway construction stretch, traffic diversion arrangements, and movement of heavy vehicles on the route will also be examined as part of the inquiry.
