A journey intended to bring a deceased family member home for burial ended in further tragedy on Wednesday morning when an ambulance carrying a body from Dhaka to Jashore was involved in a devastating road crash in Narail. The collision claimed the lives of a woman accompanying her late husband’s body and the ambulance driver, while at least five other people sustained injuries.
The accident occurred in the Baliadanga area of Narail Sadar Upazila along the busy Dhaka–Benapole Highway, one of Bangladesh’s major transport corridors. The deceased were identified as Jahanara Begum, 52, a resident of Mahidia in Jashore Sadar Upazila, and Akbar Ali, 27, the ambulance driver from Lakshmipur District.
According to police and local sources, the incident unfolded shortly after the death of Ismail Hossain at Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital in Dhaka during the early hours of Wednesday. Ismail Hossain was the father of a serving police sub-inspector. Following his death, family members arranged for his body to be transported by ambulance to their ancestral home in Jashore for funeral rites and burial.
Jahanara Begum, the widow of the deceased, was travelling in the ambulance alongside several relatives. As the vehicle reached Baliadanga in Narail, it reportedly collided head-on with a local passenger bus approaching from the opposite direction. The impact was severe, leaving the ambulance extensively damaged.
Witnesses said Jahanara Begum died at the scene due to the force of the collision. The driver, Akbar Ali, and several passengers suffered critical injuries. Local residents quickly rushed to assist, helping rescue those trapped inside the wreckage and arranging transportation to nearby medical facilities.
Although emergency efforts were undertaken immediately, Akbar Ali succumbed to his injuries while being transported to hospital. Several of the injured were admitted to Narail District Hospital, while those in more critical condition were transferred to other healthcare facilities for specialised treatment.
Accident Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Baliadanga, Narail Sadar Upazila |
| Highway | Dhaka–Benapole Highway |
| Type of Accident | Head-on collision between an ambulance and a local bus |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Injured | At least 5 |
| Deceased Passenger | Jahanara Begum (52) |
| Deceased Driver | Akbar Ali (27) |
| Destination | Mahidia, Jashore Sadar Upazila |
| Purpose of Journey | Transporting a deceased family member for burial |
Narail Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ajay Kumar Kundu stated that the bodies had been taken to the morgue of Narail District Hospital. Following completion of the necessary legal procedures, the remains would be handed over to the victims’ families.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision. Both the ambulance and the bus have reportedly been seized as part of the inquiry. Authorities are expected to examine factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, driver behaviour and adherence to traffic regulations before reaching a conclusion.
Road safety experts note that ambulance-related crashes remain a concern on Bangladesh’s highways. High vehicle speeds, risky overtaking manoeuvres, driver fatigue and heavy traffic volumes are often cited as contributing factors in serious highway accidents. However, officials emphasise that the precise circumstances behind this incident will only be established once the investigation is completed.
For the bereaved family, the tragedy has compounded an already painful loss. What began as a solemn journey to return a loved one to his hometown for a final farewell ended with two additional deaths, turning a funeral procession into an even deeper family calamity. The incident serves as another stark reminder of the dangers that continue to challenge road safety across the country’s highway network.