At least 13 people died in an accident in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal late on Tuesday night. The accident took place due to reduced visibility caused due to fog. Nearly 18 people have been injured in the accident and have been admitted to a hospital.
The accident happened after a boulder loaded truck slipped and rammed into several vehicles.
“A vehicle collided head-on with a boulder loaded truck whose driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the divider and slipped towards its right side. Two other vehicles coming from the wrong side collided into the body of the truck due to which boulders loaded in the vehicle fell on them. Another small lorry in front of the truck was also damaged. In all, four vehicles got damaged,” Sumant Roy, assistant superintendent of police, Jalpaiguri said.
The police officer said that the circle inspector of Dhupguri and his team reached the accident spot within 10 minutes. Roy said that several cranes were called in to clear the road which was blocked due to the accident.
Locals along with police officials assisted in rescuing the injured at the spot.
“The road is now cleared. The driver of the truck survived the accident and has been detained. Treatment of injured at the nearby hospital is being monitored,” Sumant Roy said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s office tweeted:
“The road accident in Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) is extremely anguishing. In this time of sadness, prayers with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.”
“From the PMNRF, Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in West Bengal. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured,” the PMO tweet said.
