Fatehpur: In a devastating accident on the Kanpur-Prayagraj National Highway, four young men lost their lives and five others sustained critical injuries when a car veered off the road and plunged into a pond on Wednesday. The mishap occurred near the Barauri toll plaza in the Fatehpur district.
According to police officials, the vehicle—returning from a wedding function in Kanpur to Prayagraj—went out of control after a tire burst, leading the car to swerve off the highway and crash into a roadside pond.
Emergency services rushed to the location after receiving reports of the accident. With assistance from local residents, the police team managed to pull the damaged vehicle out of the water. Tragically, four of the occupants were declared dead on the scene.
Victims Identified
Authorities have identified the deceased as:
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Sahil Gupta (26)
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Shivam Sahu (28)
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Ritesh Sonkar (28)
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Rahul Kesarwani (25)
All four were residents of the Khuldabad area of Prayagraj. Their bodies have been sent for autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.
Five other individuals, including the driver Rahul Kumar, were rescued in serious condition and rushed to a hospital in Kanpur for urgent treatment.
Driver Recounts Incident
Speaking briefly from his hospital bed, driver Rahul Kumar described how the situation unfolded.
“As we neared Fatehpur, the car began to wobble. I assumed it was low tire pressure. We even stopped before the toll plaza to inspect it, and everything appeared fine. But moments later—barely 300 meters down the road—the tire burst without warning, and I lost control. The next thing we knew, we were in the water,” he recounted.
CM Adityanath Offers Condolences
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He directed district officials to ensure that those injured receive the best possible medical care.
Investigation Underway
Police are conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the tire failure and are also inspecting the vehicle for any mechanical faults. Authorities are also examining whether speed was a contributing factor.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of high-speed travel and the importance of vehicle maintenance, particularly during long road journeys.
