KKN Gurugram Desk | Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh – In a devastating road accident early Monday morning, four people lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries after a head-on collision between a truck and an Ertiga car near Dhanora village on the Lucknow–Bahraich Highway (NH28) in Ramnagar police station area.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 4:30 AM near a roadside eatery. The collision was so intense that three men and one woman died on the spot, while two children and another woman were severely injured.

Victims Identified: Family Was Returning from Kanpur to Gonda

The victims of the crash have been identified as residents of Gonda district. The deceased include:

• Ramashankar Maurya (family head)

• Sudhir Kumar (brother-in-law of Ramashankar)

• Shanti Devi (Sudhir’s wife)

• Ayaan (driver of the Ertiga)

They were reportedly returning home to Gonda from Kanpur after a family visit. The car, a white Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, was being driven by Ayaan when it collided head-on with a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction.

The severely injured individuals include:

• Poonam Maurya (Ramashankar’s wife)

• Their son and daughter (names withheld for privacy)

All three were immediately rushed to Ramnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) and later referred to the district hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

Accident Details: How the Crash Occurred

According to local sources and eyewitnesses, the family was traveling northwards toward Gonda in the early hours of Monday. As the vehicle reached Dhanora village, a truck allegedly lost control and swerved onto the wrong side, crashing directly into the front of the Ertiga.

The impact of the crash was so powerful that the Ertiga was crushed beyond recognition. Emergency services and local residents responded immediately to the screams and chaos following the crash. However, by the time rescue teams arrived, four people had already succumbed to their injuries.

Police Response and Investigation

Local police from Ramnagar police station arrived at the site within minutes and began the initial investigation. The bodies of the deceased were recovered from the mangled remains of the car and sent for postmortem examination.

Senior officers stated that a case has been registered and the truck driver’s details are being investigated. Preliminary findings suggest that overspeeding and lane violation may have contributed to the accident. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of driver fatigue or negligence.

Condition of the Injured: Family Battling for Life

Doctors at the district hospital have confirmed that all three injured are in critical condition, with multiple fractures and head injuries. One of the children is reported to have suffered internal bleeding.

Medical teams are monitoring their vitals closely, and the family is expected to undergo emergency surgery depending on the stabilization of their condition. Mental health counselors have also been called in due to the traumatic nature of the incident and the loss of multiple family members.

Highway Safety Concerns in Uttar Pradesh

This tragic incident is yet another reminder of the poor enforcement of road safety norms on national highways, especially in Uttar Pradesh. NH28, which connects Lucknow to Bahraich and further to the Nepal border, is frequented by heavy trucks and commercial vehicles, many of which violate speed limits or drive under fatigue.

Locals have repeatedly demanded better signage, speed barriers, and patrol enforcement at accident-prone stretches like Dhanora. Monday’s incident adds to the growing toll of road fatalities in the state, which has seen over 20,000 road accident deaths annually, according to NCRB data.

Community Reactions and Mourning

Residents of Dhanora village and nearby towns expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. Many described the family as humble and well-respected. Several locals helped in pulling out injured victims and provided first aid before ambulances arrived.

The accident has left a void in the Maurya family, with community members coming forward to support the surviving children. Gonda administration has assured the family of assistance and has reached out for counseling and financial aid.

Government Action and Compensation

As of this report, no official compensation has been announced by the Uttar Pradesh government. However, in similar cases, ₹2 lakh ex gratia payment from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has been awarded to the families of deceased accident victims.

The local administration is expected to send a proposal to the District Magistrate for immediate financial relief. NGOs and local welfare organizations have also been approached to assist the surviving members, especially the children who lost both parents in the crash.

Rising Trend of Fatal Accidents in India

India continues to rank among the highest in global road accident deaths, with over 150,000 fatalities reported every year. Common causes include:

• Overspeeding

• Driver fatigue

• Poor vehicle maintenance

• Lack of lane discipline

• Inadequate highway lighting and barriers

Despite various campaigns like “Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha”, enforcement at ground level remains weak, especially during night hours and in rural areas.

Safety Measures Needed on Indian Highways

Experts and road safety advocates recommend several immediate actions to curb accidents like the one in Barabanki:

1. Installation of speed cameras and AI-based violation detection systems

2. Increased patrolling during high-risk hours (12 AM–6 AM)

3. Stricter penalties for traffic violations

4. Mandatory rest breaks for commercial vehicle drivers

5. Public education on defensive driving and lane discipline

The Barabanki crash is more than just a statistic—it’s a heartbreaking story of a family’s journey that ended in an instant. It highlights the fragility of life and the urgent need for a systemic overhaul of highway safety in India.

As investigations continue and the survivors fight for their lives, questions remain about accountability, driver regulation, and whether this tragedy could have been prevented with better enforcement.