Jalpaiguri, June 21 -- Five people were killed and at least 27 others injured, including four critically, when a North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus crashed into a parked truck on National Highway 27 near Ulladabari in Jalpaiguri district on Sunday morning. Police have arrested the bus driver.
According to police sources, the impact of the collision was so severe that the entire front-left portion of the bus was crushed. Hearing the loud crash, local residents rushed to the spot and joined rescue operations before emergency services arrived.
The injured were rescued and taken to Maynaguri Rural Hospital and Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Personnel from Maynaguri Police Station, Fire and Emergency Services, and district administration officials launched relief and rescue operations immediately after receiving information about the accident.
Riju Roy, a local resident who took part in the rescue effort, said: "The speeding bus rammed into the middle section of the stationary truck with tremendous force, leaving the left side of the vehicle completely mangled."
Additional Superintendent of Police M Srinivasan confirmed that five people died in the accident. Among the injured are 15 men and 12 women, including two children. Three people, including a child, remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.
Police identified the deceased as Pompa Das Saha (26) of Siliguri, Shubhankar Shil (32) of Cooch Behar, Sajal Sarkar (26) of Mainaguri, Jamuna Roy (49) of Huslurdanga, and one unidentified young man. Sources said four members of the same family from Siliguri were travelling on the bus; Pompa Das Saha was killed while the others, including a child, are receiving treatment. Superintendent of Police Sujata Kumari visited Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital following the incident. Preliminary investigations indicate that overspeeding and negligence were the primary causes of the crash. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested driver.
West Bengal Minister of State for Finance and Transport Anandamay Barman visited the hospital on Sunday, reviewed treatment arrangements and assured all necessary assistance to the victims.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condoling the incident announced an ex gratia package for the victims. The State Government will provide Rs.5 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives, Rs 1 lakh to passengers who sustained grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries. In addition, the government has assured that the entire cost of treatment of the injured at government medical facilities will be borne by the State Government.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.