Tura, Sept 3: Six children, most of them returning to the start of school days, had a miraculous escape when the Mahindra mini truck they had boarded from their village to head to Rongram, 18 kms from Tura, suddenly lost control and overturned at Rongpil on Friday morning.
One elderly passenger who was sitting on the back trailer of the pick up unfortunately lost his life at the accident site.
He has been identified as Mokbul Hussain of Morasuti, Bhaitbari, Phulbari. The deceased was coming for trading at Rongram market when he was crushed by the impact of the accident.
To make a quick buck, the driver of the pick up truck had packed passengers like sardines in a can picking up anyone and everyone along the route despite the limited capacity.
When the vehicle overturned, there were over 24 passengers on it.
Four among them sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to Tura Civil Hospital for further medical care, while the rest were discharged after receiving first aid at Asanang Primary Health Centre where doctors and nurses provided quick medical care to the injured.
It is a common trend to witness mini buses and mahindra pick up trucks carrying passengers beyond the mandated capacity. This is most common during the weekly market days in the villages when dozens of such vehicles head to such haats laden with passengers and goods unconcerned about the safety and wellbeing of those on board.
