Tragedy struck on the Lakhisarai-Sikandra state highway in Bihar as a speeding truck collided head-on with an auto-rickshaw, resulting in the death of nine individuals and injuring six others. The fatal incident occurred near Bihrarura village, where the truck, allegedly out of control, crashed into the auto-rickshaw carrying 14 passengers from the opposite direction.
Among the victims, eight lost their lives instantly, while the auto-rickshaw driver, Manoj Kumar, succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The deceased, predominantly caterers from Jamalpur in Munger district, were returning from a wedding function in Sikandra village to Lakhisarai station.
The collision took place around 1:30 am, reportedly initiated when the speeding truck attempted to overtake another vehicle. Both vehicles were traveling at high speeds in the sparse midnight traffic. Rescue operations proved challenging for authorities, given the severe damage to the auto-rickshaw, which was crushed due to the impact of the collision.
Deputy Superintendent of Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, Rakesh Kumar, stated that six critically injured individuals were referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment. An eyewitness described the incident as unprecedented, expressing shock at the severity of the collision.
Preliminary inquiries by the police suggest that the primary cause of the accident was the excessive speed of the truck driver. Amit Kumar, the Station House Officer of Ramgarh Chowk police station, noted that the truck’s high speed was a contributing factor.
Expressing condolences, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed officials to provide the best medical services to the injured. This tragedy underscores the importance of road safety and the need for strict enforcement to prevent such accidents in the future. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the collision.
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