The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

Eleven people, including the driver of a Nasimon (locally assembled tempo) were killed and twelve other passengers were injured on Friday morning after the tempo carrying members of a bridal party was overrun by a rice-laden truck on the Barisal-Dhaka Highway.

Amirurrazam, officer in charge of Gournadi Police Station said the wedding ceremony of Ramen Shikari and Beauty Mandol was held at Mandol Bari of Deu Para village under Mahilara Union of Gournadi Upazila of Barisal district on Thursday night.

About 26 members of the bridal party after completing the ceremony at the bride's house started on their return journey on a reserved Nasimon to the bridegroom's home at Uttar Majra village of Agoiljhara Upazila early Friday morning.

When the Nasimon reached Baro Bari on the highway at about 6:20am, the driver of a rice-laden truck coming from Jessore towards Barisal lost control over the vehicle after one of its tyre punctured and crushed the Nasimon from the opposite direction.

Local people rushed to rescue the accident victims and found Lipika Bhattra, 12, Asim Shikari, 15, Milton Shikari, 16, Susanta Bepari, 35, and Avijit Bepari, 20, dead.

Among others, UP Member Baburam Shikari, 65, died on way to Gournadi Health Complex, and Nikhil Haldar, 38, died on way to Barisal SBMCH.

The critically injured passengers are Usha Rani, 35, Moyna Rani, 55, and Joy Ram, 8. The tempo driver Nurul Islam, 44, died at Barisal SBMCH soon after admission.

The groom Ramen Shikari, 30, bride Beauty Mondal, 22, Swapan Shikari, 28, Shilpi, 15, Adit, 55, Alamin, 14, Azizul, 26, were admitted to Gournadi Upazila Health Complex, while Pranto, 5, Shabana, 6, Prosenjit Roy, 30, Manmatha Bepari, 30, Hafizul, 26, were admitted to Barisal SBMCH with severe injuries.

The driver and helpers of the truck fled the scene after the accident. Police seized the truck. Ajit Shikari lodged a case with Gournadi Police Station in this connection.