Khagaria: Seven people, including a two-month-old infant, died in a major road accident on NH-31 in Bihar’s Khagaria district on Monday after a speeding truck allegedly collided head-on with an auto-rickshaw near Thatha village under the jurisdiction of the Mansi Police Station.
Four others sustained critical injuries and were admitted to the Sadar Hospital for treatment, police officials said.
According to preliminary information, the accident took place around 2 pm when the truck, reportedly travelling at a very high speed, rammed into the auto-rickshaw from the opposite direction. The impact threw passengers onto the road and severely damaged the vehicle.
Multiple Vehicles Damaged in the Collision
Witnesses said the truck struck the auto-rickshaw before crashing into a pickup vehicle and later hitting a parked Tata Safari located a short distance away.
The force of the collision reduced the auto-rickshaw to wreckage. Local residents rushed to the scene after hearing the sound of the crash and began rescue efforts before police teams arrived.
Several passengers were reportedly trapped inside the mangled vehicle. Locals and rescue personnel pulled out the injured and shifted them to nearby medical facilities.
Victims Thrown Several Feet From the Road
Eyewitnesses said some victims were thrown 10 to 20 feet away from the highway embankment due to the force of the collision. Bodies and injured passengers were found scattered across the road.
Police said the deceased include a woman, a minor boy, four men, and a two-month-old infant. The identities of all victims were being verified at the time of reporting.
Medical officials stated that the condition of the injured remains critical, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Locals Raise Concerns Over Speeding on NH-31
Following the accident, local residents expressed anger over recurring road accidents on NH-31, alleging that speeding heavy vehicles frequently endanger commuters on the highway.
Residents demanded stricter enforcement of speed limits and improved road safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Police Begin Investigation
Police personnel from the Mansi Police Station reached the site soon after the incident and brought the situation under control. The bodies were taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination.
Officials said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident. Efforts are also underway to identify and trace the truck driver and seize the vehicle involved in the collision.
