A tragic road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district has claimed the lives of five people, including four children. The incident occurred on Wednesday night around 10 pm in the Hafizpur area when a truck, reportedly driving on the wrong side of National Highway 334 to avoid paying toll, collided head-on with a motorcycle.
The victims were identified as 36-year-old Danish Khan, a resident of Mohalla Rafiqnagar in Hapur, his two daughters, 8-year-old Mahira and 5-year-old Samaira, and his brother's children, both 8-year-old Samar and Mahim. According to reports, Danish was returning with the children after a swim when the fatal accident occurred. All five died in the hospital.
Danish's wife, Reshma, and two other children from the extended family, who were riding on another motorcycle, narrowly escaped the collision. A video showing Danish dancing with Reshma at the pool hours before the tragedy has been widely circulated online. Reshma's father, Sirajuddin, revealed that she had found happiness with Danish after a previous difficult marriage.
Police have seized the truck involved in the accident and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination. An FIR has been registered against the truck driver under sections 281 (rash driving or driving on a public way) and 106(1) (causing death due to negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities are currently making efforts to apprehend the driver, who fled the scene after the accident.
ASP Vineet Bhatnagar stated that the truck driver was attempting to evade toll payment by driving on the wrong side of the highway through an illegal road cut. The incident has sparked outrage and grief in the community, with many expressing their condolences to the bereaved family.
This unfortunate event highlights the persistent issue of reckless driving and disregard for traffic rules, which continue to plague Indian roads. Authorities are urged to take strict action against those who violate traffic regulations and endanger the lives of others. Enhanced enforcement of traffic laws, along with increased public awareness campaigns, are crucial to prevent such tragedies in the future.
