A tragic road accident in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district claimed the lives of six women and left three others injured on Wednesday when two speeding tractors, allegedly racing each other, collided with and ran over an e-rickshaw carrying passengers to a pre-wedding ceremony.
The accident occurred on the Kachla-Ujhani highway near Phoolpur under the jurisdiction of Ujhani Kotwali police station. According to police, the victims were travelling to attend a traditional “bhat” ceremony ahead of a family wedding scheduled for June 29. The women, all residents of Mohalla Murawan Nagla in Kachla, were heading to a neighbouring village when the crash took place.
The deceased were identified as Rajkumari (55), Ganga Shri (32), Rewati (80), Prem Devi (45), Narayani Devi (32), and Aarti, who was in her twenties. Family members who had been preparing for the wedding were later forced to gather at the hospital to identify the victims.
According to eyewitness accounts, the two tractors were travelling at high speed on the same lane of the under-construction highway when they approached the e-rickshaw. One tractor reportedly struck the vehicle from behind, while the second tractor ran over it, crushing the e-rickshaw and trapping several passengers inside. Local residents rushed to the scene and helped rescue the injured before emergency services arrived.
The injured, including e-rickshaw driver Sunny, 32, and Dal Singh, 58, were taken to the Government Medical College for treatment. Doctors later confirmed the deaths of six women, while the remaining injured victims continue to receive medical care.
Police investigations revealed that the tractor drivers had earlier unloaded maize at Ujhani Mandi and were returning when the accident occurred. Following the crash, one driver allegedly fled with his tractor-trolley, while the other abandoned his vehicle and escaped on foot. Despite attempts by local residents to stop them, both drivers managed to evade capture.
Deputy Inspector General Ajay Sahani said that police have identified both accused drivers and launched raids to arrest them. Investigators are also examining whether the tractors possessed valid documentation and whether the drivers were legally authorised to operate the vehicles.
Officials said an FIR is being prepared, though police are awaiting a formal complaint from the victims’ family members, who are currently engaged in funeral rites and other last rites for the deceased.
Senior district officials, including the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, visited both the accident site and the hospital. Authorities have also initiated an inquiry into the condition of the under-construction highway, traffic management measures in the area, and the movement of heavy vehicles along the route.
The incident has sparked outrage in the region and renewed concerns about reckless driving, inadequate traffic enforcement, and safety measures on roads undergoing construction work.
