Road mishap snuffs out four lives in Malda

Road accident claimed the life of four persons at Malda’s English Bazar early on Wednesday. 

Police said that a private car rammed into a heavy goods truck and caused the accident near Susthani crossing.

The police, however, said that it was difficult to drive down on the stretch early in morning because 

of dense fog.

“It was really difficult to look through the fog and move ahead in morning. The private car rammed into the truck, which was standing by the roadside.

“The driver, Ratan Das and the other passengers died on the spot. We only could able to know the identity of the driver. The other three are still unidentified,” said a police officer.

Police learnt that the private car was coming from Malda’s Dhora area. It took petrol from a local pump.

However, the investigators are still unaware about the destination where the private car was going.

However, the car overturned on roadside and four people got trapped inside. 

The locals called up the police, who could only find the bodies there. “We took those bodies to the hospital, where they were declared brought dead. Later, the bodies were taken to autopsy,” the officer said.

Accidents in this stretch of the road are common. It should be recalled that a bus overturned, injuring around 50 people when it was trying to overtake another vehicle.

The incident had taken place at the same stretch just a few months ago. District police reported to the competent authority that, two racing buses were approaching towards English Bazar while one of them toppled on roadside causing severe injuries to 50 people.

In another incident, a speeding mini truck rammed into a tree and caused injuries of four persons. They were taken to the hospital.

The state government’s slogan: ‘Safe drive, Save life’ has made the local residents to inspire police, taking stringent actions against traffic rule breakers.

“Police are trying hard and the locals have helped them a lot. But these errant drivers were unruly. They should be punished,” said a local resident.