A tragic road accident in NaChol Upazila of Chapainawabganj District has resulted in the death of a 54-year-old farmer after a cattle-laden local vehicle overturned into a canal, while two other passengers narrowly escaped with their lives.
The deceased, identified as Entajul Haque, was the son of Tofozzal Haque from the Salalpur Namotola village. According to family members and local residents, the accident occurred on Wednesday night at approximately 10:00 pm while he was returning home from a local cattle market with unsold livestock.
He was travelling on a traditional rural transport vehicle commonly known as a “bhotbhoti,” which was carrying cattle and multiple passengers. As the vehicle approached a bend near a culvert in the Sanpur village area, the driver reportedly lost control. The vehicle then veered off the road and overturned into a nearby canal.
At the moment of the crash, two cattle were also thrown into the water along with the passengers. Entajul Haque became trapped beneath the overturned vehicle and sustained critical injuries. Local residents quickly rushed to the scene and initiated a rescue operation, managing to pull him out of the water. He was immediately transported to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where attending doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Two other passengers on board survived the incident, although they were shaken by the accident. The cattle were also recovered from the water following the rescue efforts.
Local residents have highlighted that the culvert bend where the accident took place is particularly hazardous, especially at night due to insufficient lighting and poor road safety measures. They noted that while minor accidents occasionally occur in the area, such a severe incident is rare, making this tragedy particularly shocking for the community.
Police from NaChol Police Station visited the scene following the incident. The body was recovered and handed over to the family after completing necessary legal formalities. Authorities confirmed that an unnatural death case is being processed in connection with the incident.
Accident Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Entajul Haque (54) |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Residence | Salalpur Namotola village |
| Location of accident | Near culvert bend, Sanpur village |
| Upazila | NaChol Upazila |
| District | Chapainawabganj District |
| Time of incident | Approximately 10:00 pm |
| Vehicle type | Traditional cattle transport (“bhotbhoti”) |
| Cause | Loss of control, vehicle overturned into canal |
| Casualties | 1 dead, 2 survivors, 2 cattle fell into water |
| Legal action | Unnatural death case under process |
The incident has once again drawn attention to rural transport safety in Bangladesh, where locally modified vehicles are widely used for agricultural and livestock transportation. Experts and locals alike point to risks associated with overloaded vehicles, narrow rural roads, sharp bends near culverts, and insufficient roadside lighting.
The community remains in mourning, as residents recall that the farmer had been returning home after attempting to sell cattle at the market—an ordinary journey that ended in sudden tragedy.