No respite from horrific road crashes; 8 dead in C’nawabganj

Eight agriculture workers were killed and four others injured when a rice-laden human-hauler plunged into a roadside ditch at Sonapur-Barikbazar in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district early today.

The deceased were identified as Babu, son of Erfan Ali, Tajemul Haque, son of Sheikh Mohammad, Mithun, son of Tajemul Haque, Karim, son of Kabil Uddin, Mishu, son of Aminul, Abul Kashem, son of Naushad, Ahad Ali, son of Azizul Haque and Ataur Rahman, son of Rehman of Shibganj upazila.

The accident took place around 4:45 am when the human-hauler with 12 agriculture workers overturned and plunged into the ditch near Bhanga Bridge in the area as its driver lost control over the steering, leaving the seven people killed on the spot and five others injured, said Farid Hossain, officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station.

On information, police and firefighters rushed to the spot and rescued the injured.

Of the injured, one died on way to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex while the others were admitted to the hospital.

The accident took place when the human hauler carrying the workers was returning home after harvesting rice from Barind region.

Road accidents in Bangladesh are still a major reason behind many deaths, injuries and huge property damage every year.

At least 7,855 people were killed and 13,330 others injured in 5,516 road crashes across the country last year, according to Jatri Kalyan Samity, a platform working for the welfare of passengers.