A tragic road accident occurred on Thursday, 15 January, in Tungipara, Gopalganj, resulting in the death of a three-month-old infant and injuries to six others. The collision involved a Mahindra vehicle and a battery-powered auto-rickshaw (commonly known as an “Easy Bike”), which collided head-on on the Tungipara-Kotalipara Road near the village of Joaria.
The deceased has been identified as Rishi Majumdar, the three-month-old son of Rai Mohon Majumdar from Joaria village. He was a passenger in the Mahindra vehicle at the time of the accident. The six injured individuals were immediately rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment, and their condition is reported to be stable.
Officer-in-Charge of Tungipara Police Station, Md. Ayub Ali, confirmed the incident and stated that an initial investigation indicates that both the Mahindra vehicle and the battery-operated rickshaw were travelling in opposite directions when the collision occurred. “It appears that loss of control and close proximity on the narrow stretch of road contributed to the severity of the crash,” he added.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Mahindra vehicle was moving at a relatively high speed while the Easy Bike attempted to cross the road, resulting in the collision. Locals have noted that the Tungipara-Kotalipara Road is a high-risk area, particularly for smaller and battery-operated vehicles navigating alongside larger trucks and vans.
The incident details are summarised in the table below:
| Date & Time | Location | Vehicles Involved | Fatalities | Injured | Victim Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 January, Afternoon | Joaria, Tungipara-Kotalipara Road | Mahindra vehicle & Battery-powered Easy Bike | 1 (Infant: Rishi Majumdar, 3 months) | 6 | Rishi was a passenger in the Mahindra; others injured include vehicle occupants and bystanders |
Local residents have called for urgent road safety measures, including the installation of speed limit signs, speed breakers, and dedicated lanes for smaller vehicles such as Easy Bikes. Authorities emphasised that the ongoing investigation will determine responsibility, and legal action will be taken against those found at fault.
This accident highlights the continuing risks faced by small vehicles and pedestrians on rural roads, especially when larger motor vehicles travel at high speeds. Safety experts urge stricter traffic enforcement and awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
