The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A truck loaded with iron rods veered off a road, killing 25 hitchhikers riding in the back and injuring 20 others, in a fatal accident at Kandila near the Tangail town yesterday.

Police said most of the passengers on the truck were traveling home to cast votes in today's national elections.

Witnesses said the accident occurred at about 9:30 am when the Bogra-bound truck carrying nearly 50 day-labourers and rickshaw-pullers on board from the capital veered off the road.

The sources said 25 people, including three children and a woman, died on the spot while two died on way to the hospital.

On information, police and fire-brigade personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured.

Of the injured, 20 were admitted to Tangail Sadar hospital.

Eight of the dead were identified as Azizur Rahman, Shamim (1), Shamim (2) and Lalon of Sherpur in Bogra, Shakil of Monohorpur of Gaibandha, Monir Miah of Gabsara village in Bhuapur of Tangail and Afsar and his son Shahjalal of Kabihat in Sirajganj district.

The survivors said the driver of the truck lost control over the steering "due to poor visibility caused by dense fog", resulting in the tragic accident.

Enamul Haque, a 41-year-old survivor, lost his 11-year-old son who was traveling with him to visit his home in the northern district of Gaibandha. The man, a rickshaw-puller, said some 40 people were riding in the truck.