Tura(Meghalaya), Sep 3: A Mahindra Pik – Up vehicle, packed to the brim with passengers, including school going children, met with a severe accident early morning today leading to the death of at least one person while leaving 24 others in various stages of injury.
The accident took place at about 8:45 this morning, Sep 3 in Rongpel near the village of Rongram, about 15 kms from the town of Tura in West Garo Hills.
As per reports, at least 4 persons, with severe injuries are currently being treated at the Tura Civil Hospital while the rest received treatment at the nearby Asanang PHC. Locals confirmed that there were at least 6 school going children though none of them suffered any injuries.
While it is still not known as to whether the vehicle was speeding or not, one thing that has been ascertained is that the mini truck was loaded beyond capacity.
Police have identified the victim of the accident as one Mokbul Hossain of Morasuti in Bhaitbari under Phulbari PS. He was 60 years old.
Scenes of such overloaded vehicles of people have become a common site across the Garo Hills region with mini trucks sometimes squeezing in more than 50 people, despite the ongoing COVID guidelines. The situation gets even more dangerous when one factors in the poor road conditions in the rural belt, with many places having only dirt tracks in the name of a road.
