Tragic Scooter Accident Claims Young Life in Kolkata
A heart-wrenching accident in the Sonarpur area of Kolkata on Tuesday morning resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl. The incident occurred when the battery-operated scooter she was travelling on lost balance and plunged into a pond.
Details of the Fatal Morning
The tragedy unfolded around 10:30 am near the Didimoni bus stop, under the jurisdiction of the Sonarpur Police Station. The deceased has been identified as Smriti Tarafdar, a Class 5 student at Basanti Devi Balika Vidyalaya.
According to family members, Smriti was on her way to school with her cousin, Disha, a Class 11 student, and another sibling, Shruti Tarafdar. The three girls were together on the two-wheeler when the accident happened.
Loss of Control Leads to Disaster
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that Disha, who was driving the scooter, attempted to give way to a passing vehicle. In doing so, she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The scooter skidded off the narrow road and, within seconds, fell into the adjacent pond with all three girls.
Local residents immediately launched a rescue operation. While Disha and Shruti were pulled out of the water quickly, Smriti remained missing for nearly 20 minutes.
Rescue Efforts and Fatal Outcome
After an intense search, Smriti was finally located and retrieved from the pond. She was rushed to a nearby private hospital. Unfortunately, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
Police officials reached the accident site soon after being informed and have initiated an investigation. An officer stated, "We are examining the exact circumstances and whether any external factor led to the loss of balance." A probe is currently underway to ascertain the precise cause of the mishap.
This tragic incident in Sonarpur has highlighted serious concerns regarding the safety of children on electric scooters and the condition of roads near water bodies. The community is in mourning over the untimely loss of the young student.
