Kolkata CIT Road Tragedy: One Dead, Two Injured in Saraswati Puja Morning Accident
A horrific road accident on the bustling CIT Road in Kolkata's Manicktala area claimed one life and left two persons injured on Friday morning, casting a shadow over Saraswati Puja celebrations. The incident occurred around 9:15 am when a private car, travelling from south to north towards Ultadanga, mounted the pavement and struck multiple pedestrians.
Sequence of the Tragic Event
According to police reports, the vehicle, belonging to a resident of Bagmari, was being driven by a hired driver. The car was carrying the owner's grandson to a relative's residence at the time of the accident. Police stated that the driver was operating the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner, causing it to swerve dangerously as it approached the spot near Manicktala Housing Estate, close to the DVC building.
The car first hit a scooterette rider before jumping onto the pavement, which was crowded with people on the auspicious morning of Saraswati Puja. It then struck two pedestrians before finally coming to a halt after crashing into a roadside stall.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The pedestrian who succumbed to his injuries was identified as Md Moidul Islam (23), a resident of Goalpota, Chowhata in North 24 Parganas. He was rushed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the on-duty emergency medical officer declared him dead upon arrival.
The injured victims included:
- Jamaluddin Molla (32) from Haroa, who received treatment at ESI Hospital, Maniktala
- Soumita Sankas Das (64) from Maniktala Main Road, who was taken to Apollo Hospital for medical attention
Police confirmed that both injured persons sustained injuries that were not serious in nature. The child who was in the car at the time of the accident had a narrow escape and was safely rescued from the vehicle after the crash.
Driver's Arrest and Investigation Details
The driver was immediately detained at the accident spot and later arrested by police authorities. Law enforcement officials have initiated legal proceedings and informed the Fatal Squad of Traffic Police, which has taken up the investigation of this tragic incident.
During preliminary questioning, the accused driver made a significant claim, telling police that he was taking neurological medicines and alleging that he lost control of the vehicle due to a neurological disorder. This statement has become a crucial aspect of the ongoing investigation.
Comprehensive Police Probe Underway
Kolkata Police are conducting a thorough investigation into multiple aspects of the accident:
- Verifying the driver's claims about neurological medication and medical condition
- Examining whether any mechanical failure contributed to the crash
- Checking the vehicle's speed at the time of the accident
- Reviewing CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the exact sequence of events
Police officials have stated that further action will be determined based on the findings from the mechanical inspection, CCTV analysis, and other evidence collected during the investigation. The crash caused brief disruption along the busy CIT Road, though authorities reported that there was no agitation at the spot following the incident.
This tragic accident on a festive morning has raised serious concerns about road safety in crowded urban areas, particularly during special occasions when pedestrian traffic increases significantly.
