Tragedy struck in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district on the morning of August 25, as a speeding truck collided with a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims, resulting in the loss of eight lives and injuries to 43 others, including two children.
The incident occurred at around 2:10 am on National Highway 34 near the Arnia bypass along the Bulandshahr–Aligarh border. The tractor-trolley was transporting 61 pilgrims from Rafatpur village in Kasganj district to the shrine of Jaharpeer in Rajasthan when the truck crashed into it from behind, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Dinesh Kumar Singh confirmed the tragic outcome, stating that eight individuals had lost their lives, while 43 were receiving medical treatment, with three in critical condition on ventilator support. Additionally, 10 passengers sustained minor injuries in the collision.
The injured were promptly taken to various hospitals for treatment, with 10 admitted to Aligarh Medical College, 10 to Bulandshahr District Hospital, and 23 to Kailash Hospital in Khurja. District Magistrate Shruti, accompanied by senior police officials, visited the accident site and later met with the injured at the hospitals to oversee medical arrangements.
The deceased victims were identified as tractor driver E. U. Babu (40), Rambeti (65), Chandni (12), Ghaniram (40), Mokshi (40), Shivansh (6), Yogesh (50), and Vinod (45), all hailing from Kasganj district. Authorities confirmed that among the injured were 12 children.
The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations, while the Haryana-registered truck involved in the collision has been seized as part of ongoing legal proceedings. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent such catastrophic accidents in the future.
