Schoolteacher among 3 die in Khagaria road accident

Patna: Three people, including a schoolteacher, died and another sustained serious injuries in a road accident involving a car, a truck and a motorcycle on NH-31 under Pasraha police station area of Khagaria district on Thursday. Police said the accident occurred when a speeding truck, attempting to overtake, collided head-on with a car, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.

The deceased were identified as Kumari Ruby (34), a teacher and resident of ward number 3 in Khiradih Panchayat under Parbatta block; Nitish Kumar (38), the bike rider from Sahu Parbatta village in Naugachhia, Bhagalpur; and Vikash Kumar (35), the car driver from Jhanjhada. Sonu Kumar, who was riding pillion on the bike, sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at Khagaria sadar hospital.

According to police, the truck was overtaking at high speed when it rammed into the approaching car. Meanwhile, a motorcycle coming from behind the truck also crashed into it after the rider applied sudden brakes. Two victims died on the spot, while the third succumbed to injuries during treatment.

Ruby, who worked at Middle School Mandal Tola Chakarami in Narayanpur, used to commute from her in-laws’ residence due to damage to the Vikramshila Setu bridge. She was travelling towards Bhagalpur at the time of the incident. Her husband, posted as an inspector in the crime branch in Patna, was in Uttar Pradesh in connection with an investigation when the accident occurred. Ruby is survived by two sons and two daughters.

Local residents and police rushed the injured to sub-divisional hospital in Gogri. Ruby died during treatment, while Vikash Kumar succumbed on the way to Khagaria sadar hospital after being referred.

Pasraha SHO Navin Kumar and additional SHO Rishu Kumar reached the spot and restored traffic. Traffic DSP Tirloki Nath Mishra said the accident was caused by rash overtaking. Police have sent the bodies for postmortem and initiated an investigation.