Patna: Three members of a family, including a six-year-old girl, died and several others were injured when a speeding truck collided with an autorickshaw carrying pilgrims in Nalanda district on Sunday. The victims were returning to Khodaganj from Malmas Mela in Rajgir when the accident occurred near K K Medical College and Hospital in the Chhabilapur police station area.
Details of the Accident
Anuj Kumar Pathak, SHO of Chhabilapur police station, said the incident took place between 9.30am and 10am. He identified the deceased as Shivani Kumari (6), Rani Devi (45), and Guddu Kumar (25), adding that all the passengers of the autorickshaw belonged to the same family from Kochar village in Khodaganj police station area. He added that soon after the accident, the truck’s tyre burst, and the driver parked the vehicle near a fuel station before escaping.
Police Response and Hospitalization
Rajgir DSP Sanjeet Kumar Gupta said the bodies were sent to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for postmortem, while seven injured individuals were admitted to Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences in Pawapuri. He added that the injured are out of danger. Police seized both the damaged autorickshaw and the truck.
Public Reaction
Following the accident, angry residents blocked the highway, demanding the arrest of the driver and compensation for the victims’ families, said police.
