Five-Year-Old Girl Killed by Auto-Rickshaw in Netrokona Crash

A five-year-old girl lost her life on Saturday afternoon after being struck by a battery-powered auto-rickshaw while attempting to cross the road in Netrokona’s Purbadhala upazila.

The fatal incident occurred around 12:30 pm on 1 August in the Nayapara area, situated along Thana Road in the upazila headquarters. The young victim has been identified as Maria Akter Priti, daughter of Abul Kalam, a resident of Pukuriyakanda village within Purbadhala upazila.

According to local residents and eyewitnesses, Maria had accompanied her father to the local market in Nayapara earlier in the day. While running errands, her father left her standing safely on the southern side of the road and crossed over to visit a shop on the northern side. Moments later, the young child unexpectedly darted across the thoroughfare to follow him.

An oncoming auto-rickshaw, travelling along the busy street, collided heavily with the child before the driver could bring the vehicle to a halt. The impact threw Maria onto the tarmac, causing severe traumatic injuries and heavy bleeding.

Distraught bystanders and family members acted swiftly, lifting the unconscious child from the road and rushing her directly to the Purbadhala Upazila Health Complex. Upon arrival at the emergency department, attending medical officers conducted an immediate assessment and formally declared her dead.

The tragic accident has sparked grief among local residents and shopkeepers along Thana Road. Local traders noted that traffic congestion and the unregulated movement of battery-powered three-wheelers near the upazila headquarters have heightened the risk for pedestrians, particularly young children and the elderly.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Officer-in-Charge of Purbadhala Police Station, confirmed the details of the tragedy. He stated that police personnel were dispatched to the health complex shortly after receiving news of the incident. The police chief added that no formal complaint or legal charges had been lodged by the child’s family as of Saturday afternoon. Consequently, law enforcement authorities are completing the required administrative and legal formalities before releasing the body to her relatives for burial.