LUCKNOW: Six people, including a police officer from Chhattisgarh, were killed and three others injured in a collision between an SUV and a truck on state highway in Sonbhadra on Sunday night.
The victims, from Ramanujganj district in Chhattisgarh, were on way to Prayagraj for a holy dip in Maha Kumbh.
The crash was so severe that those inside the SUV had to be rescued using gas cutters.
According to police, the accident occurred when the SUV collided head-on with the truck. After the impact, the truck continued on its path, crushing another truck driver who had stopped to have tea, before crashing into a house. The truck driver also succumbed to his injuries, said the police.
The deceased have been identified as Ravi Prakash Mishra, Usha Mishra, Priyanka Mishra, Atharv Mishra, two truck drivers, Daya Shankar Pal and Guddu Kumar.
Owner of the SUV, Ravi Prakash Mishra, worked as a police sub-inspector in Chhatisgarh. He was traveling to Prayagraj with his mother, Usha Mishra, his wife, Priyanka Mishra, his sons, Divyanshu Mishra and Atharv Mishra, and their house help, Durga Devi. The car was being driven by his driver, Sane Qadri alias Sanaulla Khalifa.
Meanwhile, Divyanshu Mishra and Durga Devi sustained injuries.
SP, Sonbhadra, Ashok Meena, said that an inquiry is underway to determine the exact reasons behind the accident.
The injured persons have been sent to BHU for treatment.