At least four individuals lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries when a speeding truck collided with a stationary passenger bus during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in the Nandakumar area of West Bengal’s East Midnapore district. The tragic incident occurred near Heriya Bazar on National Highway 116B. The bus had stopped due to a mechanical issue, and passengers were asked to disembark for repairs.
The out-of-control truck crashed into the back of the bus, causing significant casualties. Local residents, upon hearing the collision, promptly informed the authorities. Police from the Khejuri police station arrived at the scene, where the injured were rescued and taken to medical facilities. Tragically, four individuals were pronounced dead at the Heriya Primary Health Centre, while the remaining three were transferred to Tamluk District Hospital for further treatment.
The deceased victims have been identified as Tapan Das, Shibbrata Patnaik, Ashok Maiti, and Shubhdeep Mandal, with one being the bus driver. The accident resulted in a brief road closure on NH-116B, leading to traffic disruptions that were later resolved by the police. The truck involved in the collision was impounded, but the driver is currently missing, prompting a search operation.
The unfortunate incident overshadowed the Jagannath Rath Yatra festivities in the region, prompting calls from residents for immediate measures to address the recurring accidents on the Digha-Nandakumar national highway.
