Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jul 11: Four people lost their lives and two others suffered critical injuries after a passenger tempo collided head-on with a Hiwa truck on National Highway-139 near Madhuban village in Bihar's Arwal district on Saturday.
According to police, the three-wheeler was travelling from Arwal to Parasi Bazaar with six occupants, including the driver, when it was struck by an oncoming Hiwa truck. Investigators said the truck was allegedly travelling at high speed when the collision occurred, crushing the tempo.
Two passengers died instantly at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries while being taken to hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Amarjit Kumar (27) of Guli Bigha, Rajgir Ram (50) of Parasi, his wife Manisha Devi (48), and Ramdayal Rajvanshi of Bhadasi.
Police recovered the bodies and sent them to Sadar Hospital in Arwal for post-mortem examinations.
The two injured victims, identified as Sunil Kumar (32) of Balopur in Kaler block and Mahendra Ram (63) of Kamta village, were initially treated at Sadar Hospital before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment due to the seriousness of their injuries.
Eyewitnesses said local residents rushed to the accident site after hearing cries for help. They joined police and emergency personnel in rescuing the victims trapped inside the mangled vehicle and transporting them to hospital.
The crash disrupted traffic on NH-139 for nearly an hour before police cleared the wreckage and restored the movement of vehicles.
Grieving family members later gathered outside the post-mortem unit at Sadar Hospital to receive the bodies of the deceased after legal formalities were completed.
Several senior officials, including Sub-Divisional Officer Sanjeev Kumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Kumar Sanjay, and other public representatives, visited the hospital to review the situation and oversee the response.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Officials are examining whether excessive speed, negligence or other factors contributed to the fatal collision.