6 returning from Odisha after Jagannath temple visit dead after speeding container truck crushes 2 autos in Agra

Agra: At least six people were killed and another six injured in Agra on Saturday when a speeding container truck rammed into two auto-rickshaws carrying a group returning from a pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri. They had arrived by train and alighted at Agra Cantonment railway station, from where they hired the autos to return home. The accident occurred around noon on Jalesar Road near Nagla Chandan.The deceased were identified as Braj Mohan Gautam (55), Lakhmi Chand (65), Ranveer Singh (70), Devki Nandan Singh (60) and Udayveer Singh (65), all residents of Dhadhau village in Hathras district's Sahpau area, and Saeed Khan (40), one of the auto drivers. Among the injured were Vijay Singh, a retired sub-inspector (SI) of the Uttar Pradesh Police, and the driver of the other auto-rickshaw.Agra additional commissioner of police (ACP) Ram Badan Singh told TOI, "The two autos were trying to overtake each other when the truck, coming from the opposite direction, hit them." The impact was so severe that both vehicles were left mangled beyond recognition. After receiving information about the accident, a team from Khandauli police station reached the spot and took the injured to hospital.Locals apprehended the container driver after the accident and handed him over to the police. While they alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, ACP Singh said this could be confirmed only after a medical test.SHO Khandauli Kuldeep Singh said a case would be registered after a complaint is filed by the families of the deceased or the injured, adding, "We have begun the necessary legal proceedings."Rajeshwar Singh, a resident of Sahpau village, said, "Most of the deceased come from agrarian backgrounds except for Devki Nandan Singh who was a plumber."