Tyre Blowout Injures Family of Five

A serious road accident in Chandina Upazila of Cumilla has left five members of the same family injured, raising renewed concerns over vehicle safety on Bangladesh’s busy highways. The incident occurred at approximately noon on Friday along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in the Harikhola–Kurchap এলাকায়, a stretch known for heavy traffic, particularly ahead of festive travel periods.

According to police and local witnesses, the family had been travelling from Dhaka to their ancestral home in Chhagalnaiya উপজেলার পশ্চিম শিলুয়া গ্রামে, located in Feni district, to celebrate the upcoming Eid festivities. The vehicle, a private car, reportedly suffered a sudden tyre blowout while in motion. The force of the burst caused the driver to lose control, sending the vehicle veering off the road before crashing violently into a roadside tree and plunging into a ditch.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene immediately after the crash, with local residents rushing to assist the injured passengers. Their swift intervention, followed by the arrival of highway police, ensured that all five victims were rescued promptly and transported to Chandina উপজেলা স্বাস্থ্য কমপ্লেক্স for urgent medical attention.

Among the injured, 70-year-old Mostafa Mia and his 60-year-old wife, Selina, were reported to be in critical condition. Medical officials later confirmed that both were given initial treatment before being transferred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for advanced care. The remaining three family members sustained injuries of varying severity and are currently undergoing treatment at the local health facility.

Dr Rajib Saha, the attending physician at Chandina Upazila Health Complex, noted that timely rescue and rapid medical response played a crucial role in preventing fatalities. “Given the intensity of the collision, the outcome could have been far worse,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin of the Eliotganj Highway Police Station indicated that preliminary findings suggest the tyre may have been worn out or defective. He emphasised the importance of routine vehicle maintenance, particularly tyre condition checks, before embarking on long-distance journeys.

Road safety experts echo this concern, highlighting that tyre quality, pressure, and age are critical factors often overlooked by drivers. Even minor negligence in these areas can result in catastrophic consequences, especially on high-speed highways.

Below is a summary of the incident:

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise heightened caution, particularly during peak travel seasons such as Eid, when roads become significantly busier. Regular vehicle inspections, adherence to speed limits, and increased awareness remain essential to reducing the frequency of such preventable accidents.