Guwahati Hit-and-Run: 108 Ambulance Driver Surrenders After Fatal Crash
In a tragic incident that has shocked Guwahati, the driver of a 108 emergency service ambulance involved in a fatal hit-and-run surrendered before police on Saturday. The accident occurred on Friday night in the Kahilipara area during Saraswati Puja celebrations, claiming one life and leaving another person critically injured.
Driver Identified and Surrenders
Dispur Police Station traffic branch officers have identified the driver as Rekibuddin Ahmed. According to police reports, the ambulance was traveling from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) via Rajiv Nagar Road, which merges with Kahilipara Road, when it struck Luna Bharadwaj, who was riding a two-wheeler near the office of the Assam Sarva Siksha Abhijan Mission.
"Following the incident, the driver had fled away leaving the vehicle behind," said Bashab Thakuria, Dispur PS traffic IC.
DCP traffic Jayanta Sarathi Borah confirmed that Ahmed surrendered at Rangia Police Station. "The accused driver has already surrendered, and our teams have been dispatched to Rangia to bring him back. He will then be interrogated to confirm whether he possessed the necessary documents authorising him to drive. Meanwhile, the vehicle has been seized by the Dispur Police Station," he stated.
Background of the Driver and Possible Causes
A 108 emergency services official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Ahmed, hailing from Assam's Kamrup district, was recruited approximately one-and-a-half months ago. His appointment came during a period when 108 ambulance drivers were on strike, and he was hired on a contractual basis.
The official suggested a possible mechanical failure, saying, "We suspect that the incident might have happened due to the vehicle's brake failure, but we cannot say anything till the motor vehicle reports come out."
Victims of the Tragic Accident
The crash proved fatal for Luna Bharadwaj, who was from Assam's Bongaigaon district. Her family shared that she was a former student of JB Law College and was set to join a private bank in the coming days, making her untimely death particularly heartbreaking.
The accident also left Achyut Baruah of Assam's Golaghat district critically injured. GMCH medical superintendent Devajit Choudhury provided an update on Baruah's condition, stating, "His condition was initially unstable, and even now he remains critical and is not out of danger." Baruah continues to receive treatment in the ICU at GMCH.
Police Investigation Underway
The Dispur Police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident. Key aspects being examined include:
- Verification of the driver's documents and licensing status
- Technical inspection of the ambulance for potential mechanical failures
- Reconstruction of the accident scene to determine exact circumstances
- Statements from witnesses and involved parties
This incident has raised serious questions about road safety protocols for emergency vehicles and the hiring practices for critical service personnel. The community awaits further developments as the investigation progresses and the victims' families seek justice for their loss.
