Kolkata, July 16 -- Four persons were killed and three others sustained critical injuries late on Wednesday night after a speeding truck rammed into the rear of a stationary private bus on National Highway (NH)-116B, commonly known as the Digha-Nandakumar Road, near Heria.
According to sources, the Digha-bound private bus, carrying several passengers, had been parked on the roadside following a mechanical breakdown. At around 2:30 am, while the bus owner, driver, helper and a few others were standing on the highway attempting to repair the vehicle, a truck travelling along the same route allegedly lost control and crashed into the rear of the stationary bus with great force.
The impact pushed the bus forward, crushing those standing in front of it. Four persons were killed in the incident. The deceased have been identified as bus owner Tapan Das (44) of Bajkul, bus driver Shivabrata Patnaik (59) of Digha, assistant driver Ashok Maity of Bhupatinagar and helper Subhadip Mondal of Bajkul. Three others who were standing nearby sustained critical injuries.
Police personnel from Khejuri Police Station reached the spot soon after the accident and rushed the injured to Heria Rural Hospital, where doctors declared the four victims brought dead. The three injured were later shifted to Tamralipta Medical College and Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Police have seized both the bus and the truck involved in the accident. However, the driver of the offending vehicle managed to flee the scene. A probe has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.