Lucknow/Kanpur: Two young men from Sitapur died on the spot after a severe collision between a loader and a stationary dumper on the Lucknow-Kanpur highway late Wednesday night.
The incident occurred near Saroj Pipe Company around 1 AM, when a fast moving loader rammed into a parked dumper. The victims were identified as cousins Pankaj Gupta (24) and Deepu Gupta (27), both residents of Sitapur district.
Pankaj was driving the loader, while Deepu was seated beside him. A third man, Ashok, seated at the back, survived the crash. The victims were reportedly returning from Kanpur with goods related to Muharram preparations when the accident occurred. Firefighters led by FSO Sumit Pratap Singh had to cut open the vehicle's cabin to extract the bodies, which were badly trapped in the wreckage.
The sudden loss has left their families in Brahmani Tola and Shankarganj, Biswa, in shock. Deepu leaves behind a grieving wife and three children. Pankaj, unmarried, had already lost both parents and was one of five siblings.
Police from Bani and Sarojini Nagar stations responded swiftly and have informed local authorities and the families. The dumper driver reportedly fled the scene, and an investigation is underway.
