Four killed in Lucknow as tractor trolley falls off bridge
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE TRACTOR CARRYING THE PILGRIMS WAS CROSSING THE PARTIALLY DAMAGED BHUWAR BRIDGE
LUCKNOW: Four people, including three women, were killed while 51 others, including 31 children, were injured when a tractor trolley ferrying pilgrims of Kannuaj fell off a bridge in Para area here on Tuesday morning.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia for the dependents of each deceased, and ₹ 50,000 each for the injured people. The CM also ordered the district administration to ensure proper medical aid to those injured.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said the incident occurred when the tractor carrying the pilgrims was crossing the partially damaged Bhuwar Bridge while returning to Kannuaj after visiting Dewa Sharif in adjoining Barabanki district at around 10.30 am.
He said the driver, Mohammed Furqan (25), who was killed in the incident, lost control control of the vehicle which then fell into a 20-meter pit.
Apart from the driver, Qaiser Jahan (40), Suraiya (58) and Rukshana (60) died on the spot after coming under the trolley, while other occupants fell on the ground.
He said all deceased and injured belonged to four villages of Kannuaj and had come for ‘Jiyarat’ (religious visit) to Dewa Sharif on Sunday.
One of the survivors, Shirajudeen said many of the pilgrims had left their bags hanging from the sides of the trolley, and one bag had worked loose and come between the wheels, leading to the driver losing control.
The tyre slipped off the edge of the broken bridge, and the trolley plunged into the crevasse, taking the tractor with it, he said.
LUCKNOW: It was a ‘morning nightmare’ for 58 pilgrims from Kannauj when the tractor-trolley they were travelling on fell off a bridge in Para area on Tuesday.
The accident left four persons dead and 50 badly injured. The passengers were returning to their hometown (Kannauj) after visiting Dewa Sharif, a famous pilgrimage in Barabanki.
People engaged in the rescue operation said they couldn’t imagine how 58 people were packed on such a small tractortrolley.
Interestingly, the number of passengers on the trolley was even more than what luxurious buses of UP State Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) can accommodate. UPSRTC’s Volvo and Scania buses can ferry a maximum of around 51 passengers at a time.
“It took us a couple of seconds to understand what had just happened,” said Ishtiyaq Ahmed, a local who was among the first to rush to the spot and begin the rescue operation.
“A moving tractor-trolley suddenly vanished from bridge… and then a shattering sound was heard from under the bridge. It was concluded that the trolley had fallen,” said Ahmed.
Though the police were informed immediately, people said cops arrived a bit late. The 58 pilgrims included 29 children and 10 women.
And among them, four died, 51 were badly injured and three remained unhurt.
“So far, four passengers have died. We are trying to give the best facilities to the injured and their family members,” said Kaushal Raj Sharma, district magistrate, who was also ensuring food and lodging for the kin of pilgrims who reached Lucknow later.
Some (family members) were sitting in a state of shock in KGMU’s Trauma Centre while others were seen rushing from ward to ward in search of their near and dear ones.
One Mohammed Umar, who was giving his statement to the police, said: “I was sitting on the front seat of the tractor when I experienced a sudden jerk – after this we fell off the bridge.” Umar was accompanied by his friends – Kamran and Aman and father Kaleem, who were badly injured in the incident.
Another pilgrim Mohammed Rizwan Mansoori thanked his stars for his narrow escape.
He said, “We never imagined that we would be meeting this fate. It’s all God’s will,” said Mansoori, who couldn’t control his tears while informing his family members in Kannauj about his well being.
› A moving tractortrolley suddenly vanished from the bridge… and then a shattering sound was heard from under the bridge. ISHTIYAQ AHMED, a local