Fourteen people, including women and children, were killed and at least 25 others were injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Baraigram upazila of Natore. The accident occurred at around 4:30 AM on Tuesday, October 20, in front of the Bonpara Police Investigation Center at Sarkarpara village on the Natore-Pabna highway. Among the deceased, the identities of 10 individuals, including the drivers of both the bus and the truck, have been confirmed.
Nine people died on the spot, while another five succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment after being taken to hospitals. The injured were rescued and sent to Natore Sadar Hospital, Baraigram Upazila Health Complex, various other local hospitals, and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The condition of several of the injured is reported to be critical.
Among the identified deceased are bus driver Md. Sohel Rana (40), son of Abdul Hakim from Faradpur village in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi; Anwar Hoque (30), son of Babar Ali from Chaipara village in Bagmara upazila of the same district; Tasfia (8), daughter of Shahidul Islam from Subid Ali village in Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali; Jewel (40), son of Jahor Uddin from Ramkrishnapur village in Jajira upazila of Shariatpur; truck driver Md. Kalam (35) from Borangarh village in Jhenaidah; Salal Mollah (45), son of Jahan Uddin Mollah from Dubi Sahabur village in Jajira upazila; Md. Shahin (35), son of Razzaq from Kazirhat village of the same upazila; Sohag (30), son of Yunus from Dubi Sahabur village; Abdus Samad (70), son of Arab Ali Fakir from the same village; and Shahidul Islam from the Dubi Sahabur area, whose detailed identity could not be known immediately.
According to information from the Bonpara Highway Police, the RP Paribahan bus was heading towards North Bengal from the southern region. It collided with the sand-laden truck coming from the opposite direction in the Sarkarpara area. It is initially suspected that the bus collided head-on with the truck while attempting to overtake another vehicle. However, the exact cause of the accident will be confirmed after an investigation.
Upon receiving news of the accident, three units of the Fire Service participated in the rescue operation. The dead and injured were pulled from the mangled vehicles and sent to hospitals. Natore's Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and local public representatives inspected the scene, and an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the accident.
