Asansol: Tragic road accident on National Highway 19 after losing control, 5 critically injured
Staff Reporter, Shyam Das, Asansol:
On Sunday afternoon, a horrific road accident on the busy National Highway 19 in Asansol created a deep sensation across the area. This tragic incident, occurring on a holiday, has once again raised serious questions among the general public regarding safety on national highways and the violation of traffic rules. The accident took place on the Durgapur-bound lane near the highly sensitive and populated Ghagarburi Temple, under the jurisdiction of Asansol South Police Station. A total of five people, including four innocent pedestrians and the driver of a four-wheeler, were seriously injured in the accident.
According to local sources and eyewitness accounts, a four-wheeler was moving at an extremely reckless speed from Kolkata towards Durgapur on Sunday afternoon. The speed of the vehicle was so high that the driver completely flouted the prescribed speed limit. Upon reaching the area adjacent to the Ghagarburi Temple, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle. Eyewitnesses stated that the out-of-control vehicle first crashed straight into the concrete divider in the middle of the road. It then plowed forcefully into four pedestrians who were standing near the divider, waiting to cross the road or for transport. The hazard did not stop there; the runaway vehicle then crashed heavily into the right side of a large tourist bus parked by the roadside and finally came to a halt. The deafening sound of the collision shook the surrounding area, spreading panic in an instant.
Local residents were stunned by the suddenness of the accident. However, showing courage in a moment, they came forward to rescue the injured. Upon receiving the news of the incident, the Asansol South Police Station and a special team of the traffic guard reached the spot with utmost promptness. With the joint efforts of the police and local citizens, the four bleeding pedestrians and the driver of the mangled four-wheeler were quickly rescued. They were immediately sent to the Asansol District Hospital for treatment with safety measures. Their treatment has begun in the emergency department of the hospital, and doctors have stated that since the injuries of some of the injured are very severe, their physical condition is currently critical.
Due to this tragic accident, a severe traffic jam was created for a long time on the Durgapur-bound lane of National Highway 19. Passengers faced immense suffering as vehicles remained stalled on a holiday afternoon. Later, with the intervention of Asansol Traffic Police and after removing the accident-affected vehicle from the road using a crane, traffic movement gradually returned to normal. The Asansol South Police Station has initiated a thorough investigation to find out the exact reason why the vehicle lost control. Preliminary assumption suggests that overspeeding and driver negligence are the main causes of this horrific accident. Additionally, it is being examined through CCTV footage and forensic tests whether the vehicle suffered any sudden mechanical failure or if the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
