Four killed in van-bike collision

Kolkata: Four persons died and a few suffered injuries after a pick up van lost control and hit a tree and a bike on Basanti Highway near Bantala on Tuesday morning. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that state government would provide compensation to the families of the accident victims.

According to sources, on Tuesday, around 8 am, a pick up van loaded with garments was moving towards Kolkata from Hasnabad along the Basanti Highway. At the same time, two youths, identified as Madhab Das (35) and Chandranath Ghosh (49), who were residents of Kashipur in South 24-Parganas, were returning home on their bike after shopping for Bhai Phonta.

Near a concrete factory, one of the tyres of the pick-up van burst, and the driver lost control and hit bike which Ghosh and Das were driving and rammed into a roadside tree. Both the bikers died on the spot.

Local residents claim that the driver of the pick-up van jumped out of the vehicle and fled just before it rammed into the tree.

Local residents rescued the victims and the police was informed. All the injured persons were taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.

One of the passengers of the pick-up van, identified as Bakibulla Shaikh, (27) was declared brought dead at the hospital.

Later, one more passenger of the pick-up van, identified as Nasiruddin Gazi, (31) van succumbed to injuries. At present, five persons are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The police suspect that the tyres of the pick-up van were not in good condition and it burst due to over speeding. The cops are trying to locate the owner and the driver of the pick-up van.

Both the bike and pick-up van have been seized. To determine the cause of accident, the police may seek help from automobile experts.

The Chief Minister announced that families of the deceased persons will get Rs 2 lakh each while injured persons will get Rs 50,000 each.