Three killed, one injured in NH-3 mishap

Kolkata: Three persons including a woman were killed and another woman was severely injured as a speeding truck rammed into an ambulance at Raghunathgunj in Murshidabad district on Friday morning. The ambulance was set on fire from the impact of the collision. The tragic accident took place on National Highway 3 near Mathurapur at around 11 am.

The deceased have been identified as Julekha Khatun (18), Ratul Saha (45) and Utpal Sardar (25), the driver of the vehicle. All died of burn injuries.

Riya Saha (23), who is a nurse by profession, is stated to be critical and has been admitted at a private nursing home nearby. Police sources said that the ambulance, belonging to a private nursing home, was going to Berhampore Medical College and Hospital along with three staff and the driver, to bring a patient. A truck loaded with sand was coming from Berhampore and was heading towards Farakka.

"The driver and two people died in the accident as the ambulance caught fire after colliding with the truck," a senior district police official said.

Following the accident, traffic was temporarily affected. The truck driver fled from the spot after the accident. An angry mob blocked the road for some time, demanding the arrest of the truck driver.

"We have seized the truck. Search for the driver is on," the senior official said.

However, police sources said that the ambulance had gone to the wrong lane with the siren on and was speeding to its destination, when it lost control, resulting in the accident. A fire tender was pressed into service and the locals joined in to extinguish it.