LUCKNOW: Four people were killed and 17 others injured after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees to a Ram Navami ‘nahan mela’ overturned into a canal in Kushinagar district on Thursday. The accident occurred near the Sisva Gopal regulator in the Khadda police station when the hook connecting the tractor and trolley reportedly snapped, causing the vehicle to lose control and plunge into the Gandak canal.According to officials, around 50 devotees—mostly women—were travelling from Mahan Khor alias Barhara village under Ghughli police station in Maharajganj district to the Bhainsaha Ghat on the Narayani river for the Chaitra Ram Navami holy dip.Of the injured, 12 are undergoing treatment at Kushinagar Medical College, while five critically injured persons have been referred to BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur. Doctors said nearly 10 women suffered spinal injuries and were referred to the district hospital.Eyewitnesses said the trolley was overcrowded, carrying around 25–30 women, 10 children, and about 10 men. “Some men sitting at the rear managed to jump off, but most passengers were trapped under the overturned trolley,” said a local resident involved in the rescue.Panic and chaos gripped the spot following the mishap as locals rushed to rescue the victims. With the help of tractors, the trolley was pulled out of the canal and trapped passengers were evacuated. The impact of the accident was somewhat mitigated due to low water levels in the canal.The deceased have been identified as Meera Devi (50), wife of Chhotelal; Sarita Devi (65), wife of Ramkripal; Vimla Devi (50), wife of Brijesh Kumar; and Nirmala Devi (55), wife of Suresh. All the victims were residents of Badhara Farm village under Ghughli police station in Maharajganj district.Aarti, one of the injured, said, “We were all seated in the trolley when the driver was asking for directions. As the tractor turned, the accident happened.” Another injured, Manoj Singh, said the hook broke suddenly, dragging both the tractor and trolley nearly 20 feet down into the canal.Emergency response teams, including Dial 108 ambulances, rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Khadda (Turkaha) Community Health Centre. Police teams also assisted in rescue operations.Khadda MLA Vivekanand Pandey visited the hospital and assured proper medical treatment for the injured. “Those seriously hurt have been referred to higher centres. All victims are being provided the best possible care,” he said.Additional CMO Ramdas Kushwaha said that upon receiving information from CHC in-charge Dr PN Gupta, medical teams were mobilised immediately. “Twelve patients were referred to the district hospital, with two in critical condition,” he added.Khadda SHO Sandeep Singh confirmed that most of the victims were from Maharajganj and were en route to the Ram Navami fair when the mishap occurred.Meanwhile, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, and directed officials to expedite relief and rescue operations.
