Three people, including the driver, were killed after a Bangladesh Post Office covered van crashed into the rear of a stationary stone-laden lorry on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in Madhabpur, Habiganj.
The accident occurred at around 2.30am on Thursday, 12 November, in the Noapara Kausarnagar area of Madhabpur upazila. The covered van was carrying postal items and parcels when it struck the lorry with considerable force.
The deceased have been identified as covered van driver Jasim, 40, Md Manju Mia, 54, and Md Ripon Mia, 23.
Jasim was the son of the late Khairuddin and hailed from Adampur village in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. Manju Mia was the son of Mainuddin Mia and came from Kakjor village in Ghior upazila of Manikganj. Ripon Mia was the son of Santus Shabdakar and a resident of Surabi village in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar.
According to Shayestaganj Highway Police, a stone-laden lorry travelling towards Dhaka developed a mechanical fault at around 2am and came to a halt beside the highway in the Noapara Kausarnagar area.
Approximately 30 minutes later, a medium-sized covered van belonging to the Bangladesh Post Office approached from the same direction. The vehicle, which was transporting postal items and parcels, lost control and rammed into the rear of the stationary lorry.
The impact was severe, leaving the front section of the covered van badly mangled. All three occupants, including the driver, sustained critical injuries and became trapped or incapacitated inside the damaged vehicle.
Following the crash, local residents joined highway police officers in the rescue operation. The injured men were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Madhabpur Upazila Health Complex for emergency medical attention.
However, doctors at the hospital examined the three men and declared them dead. None of the occupants survived the collision.
Md Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Shayestaganj Highway Police Station, confirmed the incident. He said police reached the scene shortly after receiving information about the crash and took part in the rescue operation. The victims were subsequently taken to hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead.
Police have seized both vehicles involved in the accident. Legal proceedings are under way, according to the officer.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by stationary vehicles on major highways, particularly during the night when visibility is reduced. Vehicles that break down on busy roads can create serious hazards for approaching traffic, especially when drivers have limited time to react.
However, the precise circumstances that caused the postal van to lose control have not yet been established. Further details may emerge as the authorities proceed with their investigation into the fatal collision.
