Laxmipur Schoolgirl Killed in Dumper Truck Crash

A tragic road accident in Laxmipur has claimed the life of a ten-year-old schoolgirl and left an auto-rickshaw driver critically injured, highlighting urgent concerns over road safety in the district.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning (27 January) at approximately 9:15 am near the LGED building on the Laxmipur–Dhaka Regional Highway. The victim, Afrin Akter, was a student at Kakoli Shishu Angan in Majupur and the daughter of Akter Patwari.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, a speeding dumper truck collided with the auto-rickshaw in which Afrin and driver Mohammad Raju were travelling. The force of the impact left the vehicle mangled and both occupants seriously injured. They were rushed to Laxmipur Sadar Hospital, where Afrin was pronounced dead by attending doctors. Given the severity of his injuries, Raju was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Laxmipur Sadar Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Wahid Parvez, confirmed that the dumper truck involved in the collision has been impounded. However, the driver fled the scene and remains at large. The highway police are currently conducting a detailed investigation.

Authorities emphasised that high-speed vehicles and a lack of preventive safety measures are major contributors to fatalities on the nation’s roads. “This incident underscores the pressing need for robust road safety protocols, particularly for children and pedestrians,” an official said.

Experts have long warned that ensuring the safety of school-going children along busy highways requires immediate interventions, including traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, and stricter enforcement against speeding vehicles.

The following table summarises the preliminary details of the accident:

Road safety advocates stress that such incidents serve as grim reminders of the dangers posed by uncontrolled traffic, especially for vulnerable groups such as children. Immediate measures, including speed regulation, safer pedestrian routes, and public awareness campaigns, are deemed essential to prevent further tragedies.