3 killed, 13 injured after auto collides with truck

Kolkata: Three persons were killed and 13 others injured, some of them critically, when a auto-rickshaw collided head on with a truck near Farakka on National Highway 34 on Monday.

The accident took place in Jigrir More area under Farakka police station on Monday morning.

According to police, the overcrowded auto-rickshaw was on its way to Malda when a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction hit it.

The truck driver fled the spot leaving the vehicle at the accident site. The auto-rickshaw driver also suffered serious injuries in the accident.

The locals started rescue operation and rushed all the injured passengers to Tarapur Hospital situated nearby.

All the injured passengers were later shifted to Jangipur Sub-divisional Hospital where three persons were declared brought dead. They have been identified as Babar Ali (38), Messer Ali (60) and Ansarul Seikh (21).

Among the injured persons, three persons are stated to be critical and have been taken to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital.

According to the district police, Babar Ali and Messer Ali were fish sellers who were going to a market, while Ansarul was going to join his duty at a petrol pump.

They were all residents of Smasergunj area.

Police said a auto-rickshaw with 16 persons on board was taking a sharp bend near Jigrir More area when it collided with a loaded truck.

The incident caused traffic congestion on National Highway 34 on Monday

morning.

Senior police officers later brought the situation under control. Normalcy was restored after police seized both the vehicles.

The auto-rickshaw was completely damaged in the accident.

Police have started a probe. They are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Raids are being conducted to nab the truck driver who has been at large since the accident took place.