The driver of the Tata Magic van and the helper are among the nine people killed.
A speeding van carrying 16 passengers rammed into a stationary truck on the National Highway 24 in Lakhimpur early this morning, killing 12 people and injuring four, police said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths in the accident and directed the officials concerned to initiate steps for ensuring all possible help and proper treatment to the injured.
The incident took place in Uchauliya when the overloaded Tata Magic van, on its way to Sitapur from Shahjahanpur, hit the truck from the rear side near a roadside eatery, Superintendent of Police S Channappa said.
Nine people, including the van's driver Anup Awasthi (25) and helper Kishan (23) died on the spot, he said.
Three of the seven injured who were rushed to a hospital in Shahjahanpur succumbed to their injuries later, the police said.
Deputy SP Vijay Anand said two children, aged three months and one year, had a miraculous escape.