Chhapra: Four people have died and six others were seriously injured after a truck struck a group of travelling orchestra performers in Chhapra, Bihar, on Wednesday morning, police said.
The group, associated with the Muskan Orchestra from the Narhi area of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh, was travelling in a pickup vehicle along National Highway 19 en route to Bhagwan Bazar in Chhapra for a wedding performance when the accident occurred.
According to police and survivor accounts, the passengers were seated in the open rear section of the pickup when the vehicle reportedly jolted after crossing a speed breaker near P.N. Singh College. Several people fell onto the road at that moment and were subsequently run over by a truck approaching from behind.
Three of the victims were women dancers. The deceased have been identified as Rahul, Preeti Soni and Sunita. The identity of the fourth person has not yet been confirmed.
The injured survivors said there were five dancers travelling in the group. “We were in the back of the pickup. After it went over the speed breaker, we were thrown off. A truck coming from behind ran over us,” one survivor said from hospital.
They added that the incident happened suddenly and that the truck driver fled the scene immediately afterwards.
Police said the impact caused multiple fatalities on the spot, while others suffered critical injuries. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital and are being prepared for referral to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment.
At the scene, belongings of the victims, including clothing and personal items, were scattered across the road, along with spilled food and drink.
Eyewitnesses said the speed breaker appeared unusually high, which may have contributed to the loss of balance of the pickup vehicle. They also criticised the truck driver for not stopping after the collision.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Ram Pukar Singh confirmed that all victims were members of an orchestra troupe travelling for a performance. “Four people have died and six are seriously injured. An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the accident,” he said.
Police are examining CCTV footage and eyewitness statements as part of their investigation, and efforts are being made to trace the driver of the truck.
