At least four people lost their lives and around four others sustained injuries in a devastating road accident in Bihar’s East Champaran district on Wednesday. The accident occurred at approximately 12:40 P.M. near Nayka Tola on the Chhapwa–Bettiah road under the jurisdiction of the Sugauli police station area.
According to a police official, an autorickshaw travelling from Chhapwa collided head-on with a speeding pickup van coming from the Bettiah side. The impact of the collision was extremely severe, leaving the autorickshaw completely mangled. Four occupants of the vehicle died on the spot.
Upon hearing the crash, local residents rushed to the accident site and assisted in rescuing the trapped passengers. Police teams also reached the spot shortly afterwards. Sugauli Station House Officer Avnish Singh said that the injured were shifted to the Community Health Centre by ambulance for immediate treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Rubina Khatoon (30), Ayesha Khatoon (22), Jayad Khan (7), and Bhairon Sah. Those seriously injured include Chand Khan, Shankar Kumar Sharma, Rifat Parveen, and Manat Parveen. They have been referred to Bettiah for advanced medical treatment.
The driver of the pickup van also suffered injuries in the accident. Police have seized both the vehicles involved in the collision and sent the bodies for post-mortem examinations. Authorities have informed the families of the deceased, and the post-mortem procedures will be conducted in the presence of family members.
Investigators stated that the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. Police are awaiting statements from the injured persons after their recovery to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal collision. The tragic incident has left the victims’ families devastated and cast a pall of grief over the area.
The district police have registered an FIR in connection with the case. Following the completion of the investigation, the names of the errant drivers and other individuals found responsible will be included in the case based on the evidence gathered.