Five persons, including three women, were killed on Sunday when an SUV rammed into a tractor-trolley on Purvanchal Expressway in Ahraula area of Azamgarh.
The accident took place when the SUV, which was on its way to Deoria, rammed into the tractor-trolley, the police said.
While five persons died on the spot, a woman sustained injuries. She was rushed to hospital, where her condition was stated to be stable.
ASP (City) Shailendra Lal said a probe into the matter was on and the accused driver of the tractor-trolley was detained.
Reports said that residents of Dharampur village of Mahuadih police station area of Deoria district had gone to Azamgarh for some function. From there, on Saturday night, they were coming back home via Purvanchal Expressway. Just as they reached near stone number-213 located in Khadarampur under Ahraula police station of Azamgarh, their Bolero rammed into the tractor-trolley loaded with bamboo from behind at around 11:30 pm.
While 45-year-old Kailash, Kailash's 38-year-old wife Neetu, 43-year-old Dukkhi, 40-year-old Guddi, 11-year-old Rani died on the spot, 40-year-old Kiran was seriously injured and admitted to the trauma centre in Varanasi.
Meanwhile, a 50-year-old farmer died after being struck by lightning while talking on a mobile phone in Lakhimpur Kheri.
The incident occurred when Shreepal went to his farmland to run some errands. While he was talking on the phone, lightning struck him, following which he collapsed. After the mishap, his family rushed to the spot and brought the body home. Later, police reached the house of the deceased and sent the body for post-mortem. Officials from the Revenue department assured the family of financial assistance.