Accident – Minor Driver Held After Fatal Lucknow Crash
Accident – A six-year-old child lost his life and five others sustained injuries after a car driven by a Class 12 student allegedly struck pedestrians in Lucknow’s Banthara locality on Thursday evening, police officials said. The incident has intensified concerns around road safety and underage driving in urban areas.
Child Dies After Sustaining Severe Head Injury
The deceased has been identified as Dikshant Patel. He was walking near a Hanuman temple with his mother and grandmother when the incident occurred. According to police, the car first collided with an auto-rickshaw before veering toward people on the roadside under the Banthara police station jurisdiction.
Dikshant suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to a nearby medical facility. Despite treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries. CCTV footage capturing the sequence of events has since surfaced and is being examined as part of the investigation.
Five Others Injured in the Incident
Among those injured are Dikshant’s mother, Sadhna, 35, and grandmother, Meena Devi, 60, both residents of Unnao district. Three other individuals — Arman, 12, Pramod Kumar, and Awadh Bihari, 42 — were also hurt in the collision. Police confirmed that the injured were taken for medical treatment, and their condition is being monitored.
The vehicle involved in the crash has been seized.
Driver Claims Tyre Burst Caused Loss of Control
Police have detained the teenage driver and initiated legal proceedings. A case has been registered under sections pertaining to rash and negligent driving, along with other relevant charges.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajnish Sharma stated that the driver has claimed a tyre burst led to the loss of control. The car, according to investigators, belongs to one of the student’s friends.
Authorities are examining mechanical aspects of the vehicle to verify the claim.
Events Leading Up to the Crash
Preliminary findings indicate that the student had attended a farewell function at his school earlier that day. He had reportedly borrowed the car to travel to the event. After the program concluded, he left with four classmates.
Police said three of the passengers were dropped off safely before the accident occurred. The crash reportedly took place while the driver was en route to drop off the fourth student.
Investigators added that a girl who was in the vehicle stepped out immediately after the collision. She was later handed over to the police by local residents and detained for questioning.
The driver allegedly fled the scene along with a friend, leaving the damaged car behind. He was later traced and taken into custody.
Renewed Focus on Underage Driving and Road Safety
The fatal crash has once again highlighted concerns over minors operating vehicles and adherence to traffic regulations. The case comes shortly after a high-profile luxury car crash in Kanpur involving a high-end vehicle, which had similarly triggered debate over enforcement and accountability.
Police officials have reiterated that strict action will be taken in accordance with the law. They are also reviewing CCTV footage and gathering witness statements to reconstruct the exact sequence of events.
As investigations continue, the tragic death of the young boy has left the local community shaken, prompting renewed calls for stronger road safety measures and vigilance to prevent such incidents in the future.