Three people were killed and at least 10 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a truck on the Dhaka-Pabna highway in Santhia upazila of Pabna early Friday morning (4 July).
The accident occurred around 5:30 am in the Boholpur area, on the eastern side of Bongram Bazar under Ataikula Police Station.
Two of the deceased were identified as Monsur Ali, 40, son of late Iyad Ali from Kalidorpara village in Ataikula, Santhia upazila, and Abed Ali, 38, son of late Hashem Mollah from Shantipur village in Sujanagar upazila. The identity of the third victim is yet to be confirmed.
According to police and local sources, the ‘Pabna Express’ bus was returning to Pabna from Narayanganj. The driver was reportedly drowsy while driving. As the bus reached Boholpur near Bongram Bazar, it collided head-on with an oncoming truck carrying stones. Two people died on the spot, and another succumbed to injuries later.
The injured were taken to Pabna General Hospital. Among them, three in critical condition were referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Mostafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Madhpur Highway Police, said, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus driver was drowsy at the time, which led to the accident. The truck was in the correct lane. All three people who died were seated at the front of the bus.”
He added that neither the drivers nor their assistants have been located following the incident.