Truck hits auto-rickshaw and roadside shops in Lalmonirhat, killing 4

Four passengers of a CNG-run auto-rickshaw were killed and six others injured in a road accident involving a truck in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat.

The injured were taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The accident occurred on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway at Ghuntibazar area in Patgram upazila around 8:30am today, said Patgram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam.

The deceased were identified as Fatul Islam, 35, and Mostakim Hossain, 18, both from Guriatari area; Noor Amin, 30, from Islampur area; and Anwar Hossain, 16, from Burimari union of Patgram upazila.

According to police and eyewitnesses, a truck was heading towards Burimari land port from Lalmonirhat in the morning. When it reached the Ghuntibazar area, one of its tyres suddenly burst with a loud bang.

The driver then lost control of the truck. The vehicle crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw before hitting several roadside shops, killing two of its passengers on the spot.

Immediately after the accident, local residents rushed to the site and began the rescue operation. Later, police and Fire Service personnel joined the effort. They rescued the injured and took them to Patgram Upazila Health Complex.

One more victim died after being taken to the health complex. The critically injured were later referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Of them, Anwar died on the way to the hospital, taking the death toll to four.

Police said three grocery shops beside the highway were extensively damaged after being hit by the truck. Various goods kept inside the shops were also damaged.

The truck driver and his assistant fled the scene immediately after the accident. Police later seized the truck.

The accident disrupted traffic on the highway for nearly two hours before the situation returned to normal.

The OC said, “Six injured people are currently undergoing treatment. Police are investigating the matter.”

He said police were conducting a drive to arrest the absconding driver and his assistant. “Legal proceedings in connection with the accident were also underway.”