12 killed, dozen injured in separate road crashes in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit and Chitrakoot

At least 12 people were killed and approximately a dozen others were injured in two separate road accidents in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit and Chitrakoot districts on Friday morning. The first incident occurred in the Neoria Police Station area of Pilibhit, where a Maruti Ertiga car, carrying 11 passengers, crashed into a tree after losing control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The car then fell into a ditch. Six of the passengers died in the crash, including an 11-year-old child, and several others sustained injuries.

The victims were identified as residents of Uttarakhand's Khatima district. They were returning from a post-wedding ritual in Chandoi village, Pilibhit. Police reported that three of the injured were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, while two others died during treatment. Four of the injured passengers were transferred to a more advanced medical center for further treatment, while two others were discharged after receiving initial care. The rescue operation, which lasted over an hour, involved using a bulldozer to remove a fallen tree that had trapped the car.

In the second accident, which occurred around 5:30 AM in the Raipura Police Station area of Chitrakoot, a Mahindra Bolero collided head-on with a truck. The Bolero was traveling from Prayagraj, while the truck was coming from the Raipura area. Five people died at the scene, and several others were injured. The injured passengers were initially treated at a local hospital and later referred to the district hospital for further medical care. Police confirmed that the truck driver sustained minor injuries in the collision.

Authorities in both districts acted quickly to manage the aftermath of the crashes. In Pilibhit, the rescue operation was complicated by the fallen tree, which hindered access to the crash site. In Chitrakoot, the collision caused extensive damage to both the Bolero and the truck involved. Police have initiated legal proceedings in both cases and are investigating the causes of the accidents.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and directed district officials to expedite relief efforts. The state government is providing assistance to the injured, and local authorities are continuing to support the affected families. Further steps are being taken to ensure proper medical care for the injured and to aid those impacted by the accidents.