LUCKNOW: Three people, including a Uttar Pradesh Police constable, were killed and two others sustained critical injuries after an SUV rammed into the railing of a culvert on the Lucknow–Prayagraj National Highway in Rae Bareli district on Wednesday.The accident occurred near Khairahni crossing under the Bachhrawan police station limits, about 27 km from the Rae Bareli district headquarters.According to police, the SUV, travelling from Lucknow towards Rae Bareli, was carrying five occupants when it reportedly lost control and crashed into the culvert at high speed.The impact was so severe that the front portion of the vehicle was completely mangled, trapping the driver and the front-seat passenger inside.Local residents, alerted by a loud crash, rushed to the spot, informed the police, and helped rescue the occupants before they were taken to the Bachhrawan Community Health Centre (CHC) in ambulances.Doctors declared two occupants dead on arrival, while a third succumbed during treatment.Two critically injured passengers were later referred to Lucknow Trauma Centre for advanced medical care.The deceased have been identified as Constable Maharaj Singh (50), who was posted on security duty at the Rae Bareli Civil Court, and Chandrapal Singh (72), a resident of Sareni in Lalganj.The identity of the third deceased, believed to be a resident of Bachhrawan, is yet to be established.The injured have been identified as Mohammad Riyan (25), a resident of Kundauli in Bachhrawan, and Rajat Sahu (34) of Telibagh, Lucknow.According to police, Maharaj Singh, a native of Jalaun district who was residing with his family in Lucknow, had purchased the Creta on loan about two years ago.He had been on leave for the past four days and was returning to resume duty in Rae Bareli on Wednesday.During his journey, he reportedly offered lifts to four passengers, two from Nigohan and two near the Bachhrawan border.Police said the vehicle was travelling at a high speed when it veered off the road and slammed into the culvert railing without colliding with any other vehicle.Eyewitnesses estimated that the SUV was travelling at nearly 100 kmph before the crash.As there was no evidence of involvement of another vehicle, preliminary suspicion points to the possibility that the driver may have dozed off at the wheel.However, police said the exact cause of the accident would be established only after a detailed investigation.Emergency Medical Officer Dr Pradeep Kumar said two victims had died before reaching the hospital, while another succumbed during treatment.Considering the seriousness of their injuries, the remaining two victims were referred to Lucknow Trauma Centre.The accident caused temporary traffic congestion on the highway.Police later removed the wrecked vehicle with the help of a crane and restored normal traffic movement.Circle Officer (Maharajganj) Pradeep Kumar said the bodies had been sent for post-mortem examination and the families of the deceased had been informed.He added that a detailed probe has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances leading to the fatal crash.
