Lucknow: Speed claimed nine lives in two separate accidents in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday morning. In a horrific incident in Bulandshahr, five people, including a two-year-old child, were burnt alive after their car crashed into a culvert, overturned, and caught fire. In another incident in Agra, a speeding Max vehicle lost control, overturned, and crushed four morning walkers to death.

A tragic accident took place near Chandauk crossing on the Jahangirabad-Bulandshahr road when a high-speed car coming from Badaun lost control and hit a culvert. The impact caused the car to overturn and catch fire. Five occupants, including a child, were burnt alive, while one woman sustained serious burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.

According to police, the victims were returning to Delhi from a wedding function in Badaun. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver may have dozed off at the wheel, leading to the crash. The deceased have been identified as Momina, Tanveez Ahmed, Nida alias Zeva, Zuber Ali, and two-year-old Jainul. All were residents of Sahaswan area in Badaun district.

Bulandshahr SP (Rural) Tejveer Singh confirmed the incident, stating, “We received information about the accident at 5:50 AM. Police and fire brigade teams reached the spot promptly and began rescue operations. One critically injured woman, Gulnaz, has been sent for treatment. Initial findings indicate that the victims were headed to Delhi’s Malviya Nagar after attending a wedding.”

In another tragic event, a Max vehicle transporting mangoes from Lucknow’s mandi overturned on the Shahdara flyover in Agra’s Trans-Yamuna area. The speeding vehicle lost control, rammed into a road divider, and flipped onto the side of the highway, crushing four pedestrians who were out for a morning walk. The driver was also seriously injured in the accident.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Max was moving at a dangerously high speed. “It hit the divider and flipped so violently that those walking on the roadside didn’t get a chance to escape,” said one local resident.

By the time police and emergency services arrived, four people had died on the spot. The injured driver has been taken to the hospital for treatment. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

Both accidents underscore the deadly consequences of reckless driving and speeding. While investigations are ongoing, these tragedies have left two families shattered and raised fresh concerns about road safety in the state.