Two Drivers Killed in Truck Collision

Two truck drivers were killed in a head-on collision between two heavy vehicles in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur district on Friday morning, in yet another reminder of the dangers posed by high-speed freight transport on Bangladesh’s highways.

The accident occurred at around 7:00 a.m. near the Kharuvaj Bridge in the Hajipur area of Taraganj. According to police and eyewitnesses, the collision involved a fertiliser-laden truck travelling towards Saidpur and a stone-laden truck heading towards Rangpur. The impact was severe, crushing the front sections of both vehicles and leaving the drivers dead at the scene.

The deceased have been identified as Idris Ali, 35, a resident of Jaluli village in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district, and Arif, 49, a truck driver from Patuakhali district. Idris Ali was the son of the late Rahidul Islam. Both men were experienced drivers who regularly transported goods along inter-district routes.

Witnesses said the accident occurred suddenly as the two trucks approached the bridge area from opposite directions. The force of the collision caused extensive damage to both vehicles, trapping the drivers inside the wreckage. Local residents rushed to the scene and attempted to assist before police and emergency personnel arrived.

A helper travelling in the stone-laden truck, identified as Ariful Islam, 32, sustained serious injuries in the crash. He was first taken to Taraganj Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors later referred him to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced care, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Police from the Taraganj Highway Police Station responded quickly to the incident. Officer-in-Charge Md Mostafizur Rahman said officers recovered the bodies and took them into police custody before initiating the legal formalities required for handing them over to the victims’ families.

“The damaged trucks have been removed from the highway, and traffic flow has returned to normal,” he said. “We are conducting further inquiries to determine the exact cause of the collision and appropriate legal steps will be taken.”

Road safety experts note that accidents involving heavy trucks remain a persistent concern across Bangladesh’s national and regional highways. Factors such as high speed, driver fatigue, narrow bridges, and heavy cargo loads often contribute to serious collisions, particularly during early morning hours when long-distance freight vehicles are on tight delivery schedules.

The Kharuvaj Bridge area, where the accident occurred, is frequently used by trucks transporting fertiliser, stones, and other construction materials between northern districts. Local residents say that the combination of heavy vehicles and limited road width can create dangerous conditions, especially when drivers attempt to overtake or travel at high speed.

Below is a summary of the key details of the incident:

Authorities have urged drivers, particularly those operating heavy cargo vehicles, to remain vigilant and maintain safe speeds while travelling on highways and bridge approaches. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine whether mechanical failure, driver error, or road conditions played a role in the fatal accident.