Truck crash kills 13 day labourers

Thirteen people were killed and 15 others injured in a tragic road accident on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway early yesterday morning when an over loaded truck skidded off the road and fell into a ditch.
Police said, the accident took place at Chelerghat Bagan area in Trishal upazila when the Sherpur bound truck from Dhaka -- carrying cement bags and passengers -- skidded off the road.
One of the truck's front wheels punctured and the truck fell into a roadside ditch some 10 feet deep killing 13 on the spot and injuring 15 others at around 5 am.
The injured were given first aid at different local clinics in the area. The passengers were all day labourers going to Sherpur for work.
A police team led by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Trishal Police Station Khandaker Shafiqul Alam rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies.
Eleven of the dead were identified as Phuljan Begum, 35, wife of Janar Uddin, Rahela, 45, wife of Fakir Mahmud of Shreebardi, Joynal Abedin, 50, son of Abdus Samad, Jabed Ali, 40, son of Shekander Ali, Mozammel Haque, 40, son of Aftab Moazzeen, Abul Kalam, 22, son of Kafil Uddin from Jhenaigati upazila, Mukbul Hossain, 18, son of Ibrahim, Ashwin, 35, son of Altaf Hossain, Shahjahan, 35, son of Nawshed Ali of Sherpur Sadar, Hazera, 65, wife of Ibrahim Miah of Nalitabari in Sherpur and Shahjahan, 45, son of Moza Sheikh of Islampur in Jamalpur.
The identity of two victims could not be ascertained. Their bodies were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) for autopsy and the others were handed over to their relatives.
Jewel, a brother of one of the deceased, said the ill-fated truck started its journey from Dhaka for Sherpur with some 30 passengers at around midnight.
The labourers travelled on cargo carrying trucks regularly as this is one of the cheapest ways to travel. Against a bus fare of Tk 150 from Dhaka to Sherpur or Jamalpur trucks charge only Tk 50 to 60 for the trip.
Jewel himself was travelling in a similar truck from Benuar Char in Islampur of Jamalpur district that night.
The driver and helpers of the truck fled the scene after the accident.
A case has been lodged with Trishal Police Station in this regard.
Reasons behind
frequent accidents
Accidents on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, especially from Mymensingh to Bhaluka, are very high.
According to police information, on an average some 20 road accidents -- including 10 to 12 in Trishal alone -- take place every month.
Police cite many reasons for the accidents including vehicles running at very high speeds, frequent attempts to overtake other vehicles on the road, unfit vehicles and also the roads not being suitable for the huge pressure of traffic flowing through it.
Police also blame lack of proper vigilance by traffic police.
The Dhaka-Mymensingh road takes traffic from greater Mymensingh including Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts.