5 killed as truck smashes autorickshaw in Kushtia

Five people were killed when a gas cylinder-laden truck collided head-on with a CNG-powered autorickshaw on the Kushtia bypass road on Saturday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 2:00 pm when the truck, coming from the opposite direction, lost control and crashed directly into the autorickshaw, leaving it completely mangled, according to police and eyewitnesses. 

Three passengers died on the spot, while two others were rushed to Kushtia General Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

The victims have been identified as Amena Khatun, 65, and Komela Khatun, 62, both wives of late Sirajul Islam from the Khajannagar area, autorickshaw driver Zakaria Sarkar, 40, who was son-in-law of Amena Khatun's daughter, Ashraful, 28, son of Abdul Malek from Khajannagar, and his wife Shirina Khatun, 20. 

Amena and Komela were returning home to Khajannagar in Kushtia from their daughter's house in Chokrajpur under Bagha police station in Rajshahi.

Police said the autorickshaw was travelling from Trimohoni in the city towards Khajannagar via the bypass road when the truck struck it from the opposite direction.

Kushtia Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Obayed confirmed the incident, saying members of the highway police and Kushtia Fire Service reached the scene and carried out rescue operations. Traffic on the road was disrupted for some time before police restored normal movement.

The OC added that both vehicles involved in the accident have been seized and the truck driver has fled the scene. Legal proceedings are underway, he said.