The East Singhbhum district, with its administrative heart in Jamshedpur, was plunged into mourning over a devastating 24-hour period as a series of road accidents claimed five lives and left several others injured. Local police confirmed the grim tally from three separate incidents that occurred between Friday and Saturday, highlighting a severe traffic safety crisis in the region.
Family Tragedy on Surda Road
In the first and most heart-wrenching incident, three young members of a family lost their lives late on Friday night. The tragedy unfolded near the Bank of India branch in Surda when the scooter they were riding on collided with a dumper truck parked on the roadside. According to Officer in-charge Anuj Kumar of the Musaboni police station, the victims failed to spot the stationary vehicle in the dark.
The deceased have been identified as Rohit Karmakar (21), Samir Karmakar (19), and Raj Gope (16). A fourth person, Rahul Karmakar, sustained multiple fractures and was initially treated at Ghatsila Sadar Hospital before being referred to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH). All four hailed from Jagannathpur village under the Ghatsila police station limits.
Quoting the injured survivor Rahul, OC Kumar stated that the group was returning home to Jagannathpur after visiting Rohit's in-laws in Surda. "Further investigation into the matter is under way," the officer added, emphasizing the ongoing probe into the circumstances of the parked vehicle and the collision.
Fatal Rear-End Collision at Mango Bridge
In a separate incident on Saturday evening, a couple's motorcycle was violently struck from behind by a truck at the Mango bridge roundabout. The impact was so severe that the truck dragged the motorcycle for approximately 100 meters.
Lal Kumar (36) lost his life in the crash, while his wife, Nilam Sharma (32), suffered multiple injuries and was admitted to the hospital. The couple were residents of Vishwakarma Colony at Dimna in Mango.
Niranjan Kumar, Officer in-charge of the Sitramdera police station, confirmed that Lal Kumar's body was sent to MGMMCH for a post-mortem examination. In a swift action, the police arrested the accused truck driver and seized the vehicle. "Necessary legal action is under way," the officer stated.
Hit-and-Run Near Pagda Football Ground
The third accident involved a hit-and-run that occurred on Friday night. Sanjay Mahato (32), a resident of Baliguma under the MGM police station, was mowed down by an unidentified vehicle near the Pagda football ground under Patamda police station limits.
According to his brother, Yudhister Mahato, Sanjay was returning home after dropping him off when the accident occurred. His body was discovered in a ditch early on Saturday morning after alert locals informed the police.
A Call for Road Safety
These consecutive tragedies have cast a stark spotlight on the urgent need for improved road safety measures in and around Jamshedpur. The incidents, involving parked vehicles, reckless driving, and hit-and-run cases, point to multiple systemic failures. They serve as a grim reminder for both authorities to enforce traffic laws strictly and for citizens to exercise extreme caution, especially during night travel. The community now awaits justice for the victims and concrete steps to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.
