A tragic road accident on National Highway 16 near Howrah claimed two lives and left two others injured, one critically, on Tuesday morning. The collision occurred when a pickup van transporting live chickens rammed into the back of a stationary truck, likely due to reduced visibility caused by heavy fog.
Details of the Fatal NH-16 Collision
According to police reports, the accident took place in the early hours of Tuesday. The pickup van, which was heavily loaded with chickens, crashed at high speed into a truck that was parked on the side of the highway. The impact of the collision was severe, causing immediate fatalities and injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Srikanta Diyashi, 40, who owned a poultry farm, and Partha Denre, 41, the driver of the van. Two helpers travelling in the van sustained injuries. One of them, Bikash Patra, was reported to be in critical condition following the crash.
Chaos on the Highway: Chickens Scatter, Traffic Halts
The force of the impact was so intense that it broke the rear door lock of the pickup van. This led to a chaotic scene where dozens of chickens were thrown onto the highway. Some of the birds died instantly, while others ran and flew across multiple lanes, creating an unexpected hazard for other vehicles.
This bizarre aftermath, combined with the wreckage from the crash, triggered a major traffic snarl on the busy national highway. Commuters were stuck in a jam that lasted for over an hour as authorities worked to clear the scene, manage the scattered poultry, and conduct preliminary investigations.
Police Investigation and Suspected Cause
Preliminary investigation by the police points towards heavy fog as a primary factor behind the accident. The low visibility conditions prevalent on Tuesday morning likely prevented the van driver from seeing the stationary truck in time to avoid a collision.
The incident underscores the recurring dangers of driving in foggy conditions, especially on high-speed corridors like NH-16. Authorities are continuing their probe to determine if any other factors, such as vehicle speed or mechanical failure, contributed to this fatal mishap.
