Video: UP officer breaks down while visiting Lakhimpur Kheri accident victims in hospital

Ten people were killed and 41 others injured in a head-on collision between a private bus and a mini-truck in Lakhimpur Kheri on Wednesday.

12 of the injured are critical and have been sent to a trauma centre in Lucknow while 29 are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

The accident took place on the Aira bridge on the National Highway 730, around 30 kilometers from the district headquarters.


Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Dr Roshan Jacob, Lakhimpur Kheri District Magistrate Mahendra Bahadur Singh, SP Sanjiv Suman visited the hospital where the injured are getting treatment.

In a video that is going viral on social media, Divisional Commissioner Roshan Jacob can be seen struggling to hold back tears as she interacted with the families of the victims.

Jacob broke down while she consoled a child who was injured in the accident and then turned around to direct officials to ensure his treatment.

Many people who watched the video were moved by Jacob's compassion and empathy, observing these are qualities not much seen in people in positions of authority.

The bus was on its way to Lucknow from Dhaurhara when it collided head-on with the mini-truck coming from the opposite direction.

One of the injured was reported as saying that the bus driver took a sharp turn to avoid the collision, but the truck driver also turned his vehicle in the same direction.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi where among those who expressed grief over the tragic accident.

"Deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people in a road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the accident and the injured a speedy recovery," the official twitter handle of the President said.

In a condolence message, PM Modi said, "Distressed by the accident in Lakhimpur Kheri, UP. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Rs 2 Lakh from the PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each dead. The injured will be given Rs 50,000."