4 killed, 2 critical as ‘drunk’ driver runs over farmers

BAREILLY: Four farmers were killed and two critically injured when a speeding pickup van, allegedly driven by a drunk driver, lost control and ploughed through the group as they sat under a tree seeking respite from the scorching heat in Paigha Bhikampur village in Bisauli area of Budaun district on Saturday afternoon.
The deceased — Ram Prakash, 47, Gyan Chandra, 37, Dhanpal, 50, and Bhram Pal, 39 — were sitting under a peepal tree with Ram Veer and Netra Pal, who survived the incident with severe injuries.After the incident, the driver abandoned the vehicle and hid in a maize field.
Locals rushed to the scene, caught the driver, and handed him over to the police after a brief altercation. Angered by the incident, the villagers blocked the Aonla-Bareilly state highway, demanding compensation and clashing with the law enforcement team. Additional forces were deployed to maintain order.
Police said the driver was intoxicated and speeding, and they are in the process of registering an FIR against him. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for autopsy, and the survivors are receiving treatment at the medical college in Budaun city.
Budaun ASP Ram Mohan Singh said, “A few villagers were resting on a platform on the roadside under a tree. The driver lost control of the van and rammed into the six persons. We are ensuring the best possible treatment for the survivors. The district administration is handling compensation matters."
The angry villagers had a heated argument with the local police, requiring extra police deployment to ensure law and order. "We are committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families," Singh said.