A devastating head-on collision between a rented car and a speeding truck claimed six lives and left two others critically injured on a narrow bridge over the Kalyani river in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, late Monday night. The crash occurred around 10 p.m. near Kutlupur village under Deva police jurisdiction, as the car carrying eight passengers from Fatehpur entered the truck’s lane. Officials confirmed all deceased were car occupants—five men and one woman—while the two survivors were rushed to a district hospital in serious condition.

The impact was catastrophic: the brand-new, unregistered car was mangled beyond recognition, requiring a crane to clear the wreckage. Four victims died instantly at the scene, while two succumbed to injuries at the hospital. District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya arrived promptly, confirming the death toll and ordering an urgent probe. Authorities impounded the truck, but the driver fled the scene and remains at large.

Preliminary investigations point to excessive speed by both vehicles as the primary cause. Additional SP Vikas Chandra Tripathi stated that the car, returning from an outstation trip, veered into the wrong lane, while the truck driver lost control upon seeing the oncoming vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported the truck traveling at dangerously high speed, contributing to the intensity of the collision that scattered debris across the bridge and caused prolonged traffic disruption.

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The victims’ identities are yet to be established, with police relying on rental records and family notifications. All bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and a detailed forensic analysis of the crash site is underway. Senior officers have assured a thorough investigation to determine accountability, including potential charges against the absconding truck driver once apprehended.

This tragedy has reignited concerns over road safety on Uttar Pradesh’s highways, particularly on narrow bridges prone to fatal errors during night travel. With speeding and lane indiscipline cited as recurring factors, authorities face mounting pressure to enforce stricter traffic regulations and improve infrastructure to prevent such preventable losses in the future.

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