2 killed, 16 injured as fog triggers pile-up in Amethi

LUCKNOW: Dense fog caused a multiple vehicle pile-up on the Lucknow-Varanasi National Highway in Amethi on Tuesday morning, leaving two truck drivers dead and at least 16 people injured.The pile-up involved four trucks, a UPSRTC Janrath bus, and a car, bringing traffic on the busy highway to a halt for several hours. Police said the accident occurred in Musafirkhana area when visibility was extremely poor due to thick fog. According to preliminary findings, a truck moving towards Sultanpur lost control and crashed into a road divider. A second truck, following close behind, rammed into it.Minutes later, a third truck crashed into the already damaged vehicles, triggering a pile-up as a fourth truck, UPSRTC Janrath bus carrying passengers, and a car also collided with the wreckage. The deceased were identified as truck drivers Manjeet Singh (25) of Pilibhit and Shamshad (24) of Amethi. Both got trapped in their vehicles and died on the spot. Sixteen passengers travelling on the Janrath bus sustained injuries. Police said while most suffered minor to moderate injuries, the condition of two passengers remains critical. A couple travelling in the car involved in the crash narrowly escaped with minor injuries, officials added.

Circle officer Atul Singh said: "Primary cause appears to be dense fog and reduced visibility. One truck climbed onto the divider, leading to successive collisions by vehicles coming from behind." All injured passengers were shifted to the district hospital in Sultanpur.