Uttar Pradesh: Truck mows down 6 of a Muslim family in sleep on Eid

A truck rammed into the makeshift house of a poor Muslim family on National Highway 2 near Maharajpur in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh killing six members of the family and injuring four others on Saturday morning.

SP (Rural) Pradyuman Singh said the accident took place when the truck driver lost control and rammed into the makeshift roadside house mowing down those sleeping in it and crushing another house before coming to a halt.

The dead have been identified as Kallu Qureshi (55), his son Wasim Qureshi, daughter-in-law Yasmeen Qureshi, daughter Shamimun Qureshi and his two teenage granddaughters.

Neighbours said that Kallu had bought new clothes for the entire family on Friday after alvida namaz, and added that he was very excited to celebrate Eid with his family. "But the entire family could not see the dawn of Eid," he said.
The four injured persons were admitted at the Kanshi Ram Trauma Centre and later shifted to the Hallet Hospital in Kanpur when their condition deteriorated.

The driver and cleaner of truck, which was loaded with soil, ran away after the accident.

"We have sought details of the truck owner and sent a team to arrest him and seek details about the truck driver and cleaner," said the police.