Three die as bus hits autovan in Sirajganj

The bus driver and his assistant fled the scene after the incident occurred

A couple riding an autovan and the driver have been killed after the vehicle lost control as its axle broke in Belkuchi Upazila of Sirajganj.

The daughter of the couple who died in the accident near Meghulla of the Sirajganj-Enayetpur road on Friday morning was seriously injured, Belkuchi Police chief Imam Zafar said.

The dead were identified as Motaleb Sarkar, 40, of Ajugra Hijaltala of Belkuchi, his wife Fazila Khatun, 35, and autovan driver Nuru Mia, 35, a resident of Jamtail Ajugra village.

Injured Tamanna Khatun, daughter of the dead couple, was rescued and admitted to the hospital.

Officer Zafar said, “The autovan veered to the middle of the road losing control after its axle broke. At that time, a passenger bus coming from the opposite direction hit the autovan and hit a tree on the side of the road.”

“Autovan passenger Motaleb, his wife Fazila and driver Nuru died on the spot. Other victims were rescued with the help of Fire Service and Civil Defence members.”

Tamanna has been admitted to Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College Hospital; her physical condition is critical, the police officer said.

He said, “The damaged bus and autovan have been taken to the police station. However, the bus driver and his assistant fled immediately after the accident.”

“The bodies have been handed over to the families and legal action is under way in the incident.”