Staff Reporter :
The death toll from a tragic collision between a covered van and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in the Barachala area of Kaliakoir upazila has risen to five, including three members of the same family.
The fatal accident occurred on Friday morning on the Maona-Kaliakoir road in Barachala under Fulbaria Union.
The deceased have been identified as Md Jahidul Islam (35), his wife Nasrin Akter (30), and their son Md Huraira (12), all from Ishwargat village in Dhunot upazila of Bogura district. The other victims are Shafiqul Islam (55) from Keowa area in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila and the CNG driver, Moktar Hossain (60).
According to police and eyewitnesses, the CNG-run auto-rickshaw left Maona intersection carrying five passengers and was heading towards Kaliakoir. When it reached Barachala area, it collided head-on with a covered van coming from the opposite direction.
The impact of the collision severely mangled the auto-rickshaw, throwing it to the roadside. Jahidul and his son Huraira died on the spot, while Jahidul’s wife and two other passengers sustained critical injuries.
Locals rushed the injured to Kaliyakoir Upazila Health Complex, where doctors at the emergency department declared two more victims dead.
The auto-rickshaw driver, Moktar Hossain, who was also critically injured, later died while undergoing treatment at Savar Enam Medical College Hospital.
Abdul Mannan, Officer-in-Charge of Kaliyakoir Police Station, confirmed the deaths and said the bodies have been sent to the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Mohammad Suruj Uz Zaman, Sub-Inspector of Fulbaria Police Camp, said that the covered van has been seized but its driver managed to flee the scene. Police are trying to arrest the driver and take necessary legal steps.
Meanwhile, locals expressed outrage, blaming repeated accidents on the Maona-Kaliakoir road for the lack of effective safety measures.
They demanded immediate installation of speed control systems, speed breakers, and regular traffic monitoring to prevent further loss of life.
