Sitamarhi : A 16-year-old school student was killed in a road accident in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district after being hit by a pickup van carrying fish, in an incident that has triggered public anger and debate over bystander behaviour.
The accident took place near Jhajhihat Chowk in the Pupri police area on the Pupri–Benipatti road. The victim, identified as Ritesh Kumar, also known as Golu, was on his way to a coaching class when the van struck him. He died at the scene from his injuries, police said.
After the collision, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn on the road. Another young man was injured in the accident and was taken to hospital for treatment. The condition of the injured person was not immediately disclosed.
Video footage from the scene, which has since gone viral, shows Ritesh’s body lying on the road while several people gathered around the overturned van and began looting fish from it. The images have drawn strong criticism online, with many condemning the lack of humanity shown by onlookers.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after receiving information about the crash and transported the student to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The pickup van has been seized, but the driver fled the scene and remains absconding. Authorities said an investigation is under way to identify and arrest those responsible.
