5 minors among 7 killed in tanker, van collision in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Seven passengers, including four minors, were killed and five others critically injured after a van collided with a tanker in Banthra area of Lucknow in the early hours of Saturday. The accident occurred around 3am on Bani Mohan Marg in Banthra.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed officials to ensure best treatment of the injured.
The deceased were identified as Shailendra 35, Shameen 25, Purushottam 23, Ramdhar 15, Jaikaran 16, Sambhar 13 and Rahul 13. All victims were natives of Hardoi.
Most of them were daily wage workers and had come to Banthra to attend a wedding. ACP, Krishnanagar, Pawan Gautam said the van plying from Lucknow to Hardoi via Mohan Road with 12 occupants. “When the van reached Latif Nagar, a speeding tanker hit it. Locals informed the police about the accident and a police team reached the spot,” the ACP said.
“The victims were taken to CHC Sarojininagar where doctors declared six passengers dead and later all were referred to KGMU trauma centre where one more succumbed to his injuries while five others are recuperating,” said ACP Gautam.
The tanker driver fled leaving his vehicle behind. We have seized the tanker and searching for the driver. Further action will be taken after family members of the deceased give a written complaint,” said DCP Central Aparna Rajat Kaushik.
SHO, Banthra, Ajay Kumar Singh, said that preliminary investigations suggest that Shameen who was on the wheels was riding at high speed and while trying to overtake a truck lost control and collided with the tanker.
Among those killed were brothers Jaikaran 16 and Sambhar 13.