Jehanabad: A miraculous rescue unfolded on Monday when a 34-tonne gas tanker overturned on a bike rider, Bablu Kumar, on the Gaya-Patna NH-83 highway in Jehanabad, Bihar.
Bablu, a resident of Lodhipur village, remained trapped under the tanker for nearly an hour before being rescued by local villagers. Despite the efforts of four cranes, the tanker did not budge. The quick-thinking villagers eventually managed to free him by digging out the soil beneath the overturned tanker.
Bablu Kumar, who was riding his bike when the accident occurred, recounted the harrowing experience. “We fell into the pit, and the tanker overturned on me. I wasn’t sure I would survive, but the villagers kept encouraging me and trying to pull me out,” Bablu said.
He further explained how the accident unfolded: “I was heading towards Jehanabad on my bike when a gas tanker from the opposite direction struck me. The impact threw me into a pit on the side of the road, and soon after, the tanker overturned on top of me. We shouted for help, and a crowd gathered. A crane was called to lift the tanker, but it didn’t move at all. I thought I wouldn’t make it.”
Desperate to survive, Bablu said he tried to dig himself out. The villagers, armed with hoes and spades, joined in the effort. “After about an hour of hard work, they finally got me out and rushed me to the hospital,” he added. Bablu suffered a fractured leg in the incident.
Bablu’s brother, Dablu, shared his frustration over the lack of assistance from local authorities. “I was at my shop when I heard about the accident. I rushed to the scene, and it was the villagers’ idea to dig out the soil and save Bablu. The administration arrived but didn’t help. They were afraid that using a crane might cause the tanker to explode.”
Bablu’s grandfather, emotional about his grandson’s survival, expressed his relief. “We thought Bablu was dead, but God saved him. When we heard about the accident, we rushed to the hospital, where they told us his leg was injured. We are just thankful he’s alive.”
The incident has sparked criticism of the administration for failing to act promptly and assist in the rescue efforts. However, the bravery and determination of the local villagers were praised for saving Bablu’s life. Bablu is currently recovering from his injuries in the hospital.
