Jhansi/Kanpur: In a tragic accident on the Bundelkhand Expressway in Banda, four members of a family were killed and a teenage girl sustained critical injuries after their sports utility vehicle (SUV) collided with a truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders on Thursday. Fortunately, the gas cylinders were empty as the truck was returning from Chitrakoot after delivering its load.
Accident Details
The victims were traveling back to Mahoba from Azamgarh after worshipping their family deity. Four occupants of the SUV died on the spot, while a 16-year-old girl survived with injuries and was referred to a higher medical center for treatment.
Police Statement
SP Banda Palash Bansal said that preliminary inquiry suggested the SUV driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to lose balance. The impact was so severe that nearly half of the car was dragged under the truck. Several engine components broke off and, according to reports, pierced the chest of one of the victims. The 15-foot-long SUV was crushed down to about six feet in length.
Victims Identified
The deceased were identified as Ajit Vishwakarma (38), a businessman, his mother Premshila (55), aunt Nisha (40), grandmother Chandrawati (80), and Ria (16). Ajit’s younger sister Riya, 16, was critically injured. All three airbags — located near the steering wheel, roof, and seatbelt area — were deployed but reportedly ruptured on impact. The force of the explosion is said to have caused fatal head injuries to Ajit and his mother Premshila, who were seated in the front.
Legal Action
A case has been registered against the truck driver and the bodies have been sent for postmortem.
