Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 23 (ANI): Four members of a family, including three children, were killed and a woman was seriously injured after a speeding truck trailer ran over people sleeping outside their house in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, police said.

Police said 35-year-old Neeraj died on the spot. Three children sleeping with him, 13-year-old Anurag, 10-year-old Anshika and 6-year-old Anshu also lost their lives in the accident.

According to local residents and eyewitnesses, the trailer was coming from the Mahmoodabad side at around 1 am when it went out of control. The vehicle allegedly crushed the family sleeping outside their home and later rammed into a roadside tree.

Neeraj's wife Aarti, sustained serious injuries and was initially taken to the district hospital trauma centre before being referred to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Lucknow for advanced treatment.

According to villagers, the family had been sleeping outside due to continuous power cuts and extreme heat in the area. Locals alleged that the trailer driver was asleep inside the vehicle while the steering wheel had been handed over to the helper, leading to the accident.

Following the incident, panic and chaos gripped the area as residents rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the hospital.

The truck driver and helper allegedly fled the scene after abandoning the vehicle. Fatehpur police reached the spot soon after receiving information, seized the trailer and launched an investigation. Police said efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused, and further legal action is being taken.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognisance of the Barabanki accident and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives.

The Chief Minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and directed officials to expedite relief work. (ANI)