A devastating accident unfolded near Ramnagar town in the Chitrakoot district when an overloaded tractor-trolley overturned on the Jhansi-Prayagraj National Highway
JHANSI: At least four pilgrims, including two children aged six and eight, were killed and 12 others injured after an overloaded tractor-trolley carrying around 30 people overturned when its connecting hook detached from the tractor near Ramnagar town in Chitrakoot district early on Monday. The deceased were identified as Radhekrishna alias Govardhan (50), a resident of Prayagraj; Triveni Singh (50), from Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh; and two children, Shivansh (6) and Pushpraj (8). Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched a rescue operation.
The trolley became uncontrollable after its connecting hook came off the tractor and overturned, trapping several occupants underneath, according to officials. The DM said the tractor-trolley involved in the accident had a Madhya Pradesh registration number. The accident took place on the Jhansi-Prayagraj National Highway, under the jurisdiction of Raipura police station. The pilgrims were returning home after visiting Chitrakoot for Diwali celebrations and performing rituals. Four pilgrims died on the spot. The injured were taken to the community health centre in Ramnagar, where seven critically injured people were referred to a higher medical centre in Prayagraj for further treatment. District Magistrate Pulkit Garg and Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Singh reached the accident site and later visited the hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured. Eyewitnesses alleged that the tractor-trolley was overloaded and claimed that the driver fled the scene after the accident.