Kolkata, Aug 7 (IANS) At least three persons were killed and 12 others critically injured in a head-on collision between two trucks coming from opposite directions at Itahar in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal on Friday morning.
According to the district police, the accident took place on National Highway-12 near Baliapara area under Itahar block in the district.
It is learnt that around 30 contractual workers from five adjacent panchayats were travelling to work in Balipara by truck in the morning. A terrible accident occurred in the Labour Bazar area when a 10-wheeler truck coming from the opposite direction collided head-on with the truck carrying the contractual workers.
The truck was twisted due to the massive impact of the collision. The workers were thrown onto National Highway No. 12. A female worker died on the spot.
Hearing the sound of the impact and screams, the residents rushed to the spot and quickly started the rescue operation. The local police station was informed, and the injured were rescued and taken to the hospital by the police personnel and locals.
Another migrant worker died on the way to the hospital. The third worker died at the hospital soon after he was admitted.
The three deceased workers have been identified as Tepo Mardi (36), Chepo Burman (45) and Kalka Mardi (42).
The police have informed their family members. A local police officer said that among the workers admitted to the hospital, the condition of 12 is quite critical.
The police said that the killer 10-wheeler truck had been seized. However, the driver of that truck was absconding. The police suspect that the driver was driving the truck in an intoxicated state.
The Superintendent of Raiganj Police District, Sonawane Kuldeep Suresh, under whose jurisdiction the spot of the accident comes, said that the family members of the deceased are being contacted. “An investigation into the matter has started already,” he added.
--IANS
src/dpb
