Tragic Collision on Patna Highway Claims Six Lives, Including Two Children
In a devastating road accident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, six individuals, including two young children, lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries. The fatal collision took place on National Highway-30, specifically on the Bhojpur-Bihta main road, within the Patna district. The incident involved an autorickshaw and a truck, resulting in a scene of utter destruction and sorrow.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The victims, all hailing from Ara in Bhojpur district, were journeying back home in the autorickshaw after participating in the Urs festival. This annual event commemorates the death anniversary of a revered Sufi saint at the Maner dargah. The tranquility of their return was shattered around 2 a.m. when a speeding truck, traveling in the wrong direction from Ara towards Bihta, violently collided with the autorickshaw.
The impact of the crash was catastrophic, causing the front portion of the auto to become severely mangled. Passengers were thrown onto the road, and their personal belongings—such as clothes, slippers, and other items—were scattered across a stretch of approximately 50 metres, painting a grim picture of the tragedy.
Police Response and Casualty Information
Danapur SDPO-II Amrendra Kumar Jha provided crucial details regarding the aftermath. "Five people died on the spot, while three injured passengers were shifted to the PMCH by the police," he stated. "One more person succumbed to injuries during treatment at the hospital, taking the death toll to six." The deceased have been identified as:
- Mohammad Guddu (33), son of Mohammad Mumtaz, from Milki Mohalla in Ara town.
- Mohammad Imtiyaz alias Bullet (30), son of Mohammad Ali, also from Milki Mohalla in Ara town.
- Mohammad Shahzad (22), son of Shamshad Miyan, along with his two children—Shafan (3) and Alki (18 months)—all from Daulatpur village under Mufassil police station in Bhojpur district.
- Pappu Asad Khan (25), son of Mohammad Sarfin Khan, a resident of Kayam Nagar in Ara, who died later at the PMCH.
The injured individuals, currently undergoing treatment at the PMCH, are Nazneen Parveen (22), wife of Shahzad, and Mohammad Salauddin (20), son of Gulam Sarwar, both residents of Kayam Nagar.
Legal Actions and Investigation
A team from the Bihta police station, under the leadership of SHO Amit Kumar, promptly responded to the scene. They arranged for the bodies to be sent for postmortem examination at a government hospital. In a significant move, the truck driver was arrested, and the vehicle itself was impounded as part of the ongoing investigation into this heartbreaking incident.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of road safety and adherence to traffic regulations, especially on busy national highways. The loss of young lives has left the community in mourning, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and preventive measures to avoid such disasters in the future.
