Two Cousins Crushed Under Straw as Overloaded Tractor-Trolley Falls into Drain in Ghaziabad

A tragic accident claimed the lives of two young cousins after an overloaded tractor-trolley carrying straw overturned into a drain on the Modinagar–Hapur road near Nahli village in Ghaziabad district. The victims remained trapped under a heap of straw for nearly three hours, leading to their deaths, police officials said.

The deceased have been identified as Hashim (20) and Aqib (22), residents of Baghpat district. The two cousins were travelling atop the straw-loaded trolley on Sunday night while delivering fodder to a relative’s house in Nahli village. The tractor was being driven by Ubaid, accompanied by his helper Irfan.

According to preliminary investigations, the accident occurred around 1:00 AM when the trolley, heavily overloaded and moving along a badly damaged stretch of road, lost balance after one of its wheels slipped into a deep pothole near the drain. With no protective boundary along the drain, the tractor-trolley overturned.

Police said the driver and his helper sustained minor injuries but fled the spot without informing anyone about the two men buried under the straw. The scattered fodder concealed the victims, leaving bystanders unaware that anyone was trapped beneath it.

The incident came to light after a factory security guard, Avtar Singh, informed the police. A team reached the spot and used a hydra crane to upright the tractor-trolley. While clearing the straw, police were shocked to discover the two bodies buried underneath. The victims were rushed to CHC Modinagar, where doctors declared them dead.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Amit Saxena said the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and further legal action will be taken once a complaint is received from the family.

The tragedy triggered grief and anger in the victims’ native village, where large numbers of residents gathered at the hospital and later at Bhojpur police station demanding accountability.

Locals blamed the accident on the poor condition of the road, which is riddled with deep potholes and muddy patches near the drain. They also pointed out the absence of safety barriers, despite heavy movement of tractors and construction vehicles due to nearby factories and ongoing industrial projects.

Residents have urged the administration to take urgent corrective measures to repair the road and prevent further loss of life on the hazardous stretch.