A road accident on the Basanti Highway early Wednesday morning killed three and left at least ten others critically injured in the Minakha area of Basirhat subdivision in West Bengal. The incident occurred around 7:00 AM near the Minakha Gram Panchayat office, under the jurisdiction of Minakha Police Station, when a speeding four-wheeler collided head-on with a passenger-laden auto-rickshaw.
According to eyewitness accounts, the auto-rickshaw was en route from Malancha to Kolkata, carrying multiple passengers, when a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction reportedly lost control and rammed into it with tremendous force. The impact was so severe that the auto-rickshaw was crushed and thrown off the road.
“The vehicle suddenly came towards us and hit us directly. Everything happened in a matter of seconds,” said Lakshman Mandal, an injured passenger.
Two people died on the spot due to the intensity of the crash, while another succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. The collision left several passengers trapped inside the mangled auto-rickshaw, with witnesses describing scenes of chaos and distress.
Police from Minakha Police Station, along with Central Force personnel deployed in the area, rushed to the spot and initiated an immediate rescue operation. The injured, many of whom were in critical condition, were first taken to Minakha Rural Hospital. After initial treatment, they were shifted to hospitals in Kolkata for advanced care.
Police have seized both vehicles involved in the accident and launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap. Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have played a role.
Meanwhile, Pratik Mandal, the ISF candidate for the Minakha Assembly constituency, visited the hospital to meet the families of the victims and the injured. Terming the incident “deeply distressing,” he assured support to the affected families.
“This horrific accident, occurring so early in the morning, is absolutely unacceptable. I will stand by every affected family and ensure they receive all necessary assistance,” he said, adding that he would engage with the administration to address recurring accidents on the Basanti Highway, emphasising the urgent need to curb reckless driving.
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