In a tragic turn of events, six people were killed and at least 20 were severely wounded on Sunday when a private bus traveling on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway after colliding into another vehicle in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh.

The accident occurred at around 5:15am 122 kilometres from Lucknow. According to the police, the bus started from Darbhanga in Bihar and was enroute Delhi. The condition of some of the injured is reportedly critical.

The superintendent of police (SP) Amrendra PD Singh said, "A private bus with around 40 passengers toppled down the highway after colliding with a stranded SUV. Five passengers were killed on the spot while another died minutes after reaching the hospital," adding, "Around 20 other passengers have also sustained injuries. They have been admitted to hospital".

 "It appears that the bus driver failed to spot the SUV in time that led to the collision and then failed to control the bus which toppled down," Singh said.