Rickshaw Driver Killed in Dawn Crash

A 60-year-old battery-powered rickshaw driver was killed in a tragic road collision in the Azimpur area of the capital during the early hours of Friday, as concerns persist over reckless heavy vehicle movement at dawn.

The deceased, Amjad Hossain, lost his life after being run over by a speeding truck near the Azimpur Orphanage road. According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 am, shattering the usual calm of the neighbourhood. The truck reportedly fled the scene immediately after the collision.

Family members said Mr Hossain had left home late on Thursday night with his rickshaw to begin work. He resided with his family in the Tejkunipara area near Farmgate and originally hailed from Jainki village under Dohar police jurisdiction in Dhaka district. A father of two, he had long earned his livelihood by operating a battery-powered rickshaw in the city.

His son, Sakib Hossain, stated that the family received a telephone call from police shortly after dawn informing them of the accident. Upon reaching the scene, he found his father lying critically injured on the roadway.

Preliminary findings suggest that Mr Hossain may have struck a road divider and fallen onto the carriageway moments before the speeding truck ran him over. Local residents, alongside police personnel, rescued him in a severely injured condition and transported him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at approximately 6:45 am. The attending physician declared him dead shortly after arrival.

Inspector Md Faruk of the hospital police camp confirmed that the body has been placed in the morgue for post-mortem examination and that Lalbagh Police Station has been notified. Legal proceedings are currently under way to identify the vehicle and apprehend the driver responsible.

Incident Summary

Road safety analysts have repeatedly warned that lax enforcement of speed regulations and inadequate monitoring of heavy vehicles during late-night and early-morning hours pose significant risks to vulnerable road users. Rickshaw drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists are particularly exposed due to the absence of protective infrastructure and inconsistent traffic supervision.

The death of Amjad Hossain underscores the urgent need for stricter traffic enforcement, improved urban road design, and accountability mechanisms to deter irresponsible driving. His grieving family has demanded the swift identification and punishment of the truck driver involved, urging authorities to prevent further loss of life on the city’s roads.