Kanpur Vegetable Vendor Fatally Crushed by Overturning Potato-Laden Pickup in Market Mishap
In a devastating incident that unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday, a vegetable vendor lost his life after being crushed under a potato-laden pickup truck at the Arra Bingawan vegetable market in Kanpur. The accident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Hanumant Vihar police station area, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Victim Identified as Family Man Anil Kushwaha
The deceased has been identified as Anil Kushwaha, a 43-year-old resident of Ghatampur. He is survived by his wife, Gudiya, and son, Abhay, leaving behind a grieving family. Following the incident, police authorities promptly sent the body for a postmortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
According to statements from his younger brother, Prem Chandra, Anil had visited the market on Wednesday morning to purchase vegetables. While he was in the process of buying cauliflower, a pickup truck loaded with potatoes, which was being pursued by traffic police, overturned and fell directly onto him. The driver of the pickup, also named Prem Chandra, recounted that in an attempt to evade the authorities, he accelerated the vehicle. However, the rear wheel became ensnared in a pothole located at the Galla Mandi bridge, causing the truck to topple over and crush Anil, resulting in his immediate death.
Police Response and Investigation Findings
Station in-charge Rajiv Kumar provided insights into the investigation, stating, "No police personnel were present at the time of the accident. The pickup was overloaded and overturned due to the breaking of planks on the bridge." He emphasized that the vehicle's excessive load contributed significantly to the mishap. Notably, the traffic personnel involved in the chase reportedly fled the scene after the accident, raising questions about accountability.
Family History of Similar Tragedies
In a heartbreaking twist, Prem Chandra revealed that this is not the first such loss for the family. He mentioned that nine years ago, his elder brother, Prem Narayan, also died in a similar accident, highlighting a pattern of tragic events that have plagued them over the years.
The incident underscores critical issues such as road safety, vehicle overloading, and police conduct in Kanpur. Authorities are continuing their probe into the matter to determine further details and potential legal actions.
