Three Killed in Brahmanbaria Highway Crash

A devastating road accident on the Cumilla–Sylhet Highway in Brahmanbaria has claimed the lives of three people, including a mother and her young son, leaving a family shattered and raising renewed concerns about road safety on Bangladesh’s highways.

The fatal collision occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday in the Biyallishhar area of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila. According to police and local residents, a fish-laden pickup van travelling at high speed struck a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw from behind, causing extensive damage to the smaller vehicle and inflicting severe injuries on its occupants.

Among those killed were auto-rickshaw driver Mahbub Hossain, 45, passenger Josna Begum, 40, and her five-year-old son Ashraful Islam. Two other passengers, Josna’s husband Kawsar Mia, 50, and their four-year-old daughter Adiba, sustained critical injuries and were later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

All of the victims were residents of Bahadurpur village under Mulgram Union in Kasba Upazila of Brahmanbaria district.

Family Journey Ends in Tragedy

Witnesses said Kawsar Mia was travelling with his wife and two children from Kasba towards the Sarail Bishwaroad area. As their auto-rickshaw reached Biyallishhar in Ramrail Union, a speeding pickup van carrying fish crashed into the vehicle from behind.

The force of the impact left the auto-rickshaw mangled beyond recognition. Passers-by and local residents immediately rushed to the scene and began rescue efforts before the injured were transported to Brahmanbaria General Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital’s emergency department declared Mahbub Hossain, Josna Begum and young Ashraful Islam dead upon arrival. Due to the deteriorating condition of Kawsar Mia and Adiba, they were referred to Dhaka for specialised medical care.

Accident Overview

Investigation Underway

Following the crash, officers from the Sarail-Khati Hata Highway Police Station visited the scene and initiated legal proceedings. However, the pickup van driver and his assistant reportedly fled immediately after the accident and had not been apprehended at the time of reporting.

Police officials said efforts were ongoing to identify and locate those responsible. Investigators are also examining the circumstances that led to the collision, including whether excessive speed, driver negligence or mechanical failure played a role.

Renewed Questions Over Highway Safety

Road safety experts have long identified speeding, reckless driving, inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations and the unsafe coexistence of slow-moving vehicles with larger commercial transport as major contributors to highway fatalities in Bangladesh.

Particular concern has been expressed regarding the movement of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws on busy national highways, where they are especially vulnerable to collisions involving heavier and faster vehicles. Specialists argue that stricter regulation of such vehicles, improved traffic monitoring and the introduction of dedicated lanes for different classes of transport could significantly reduce the frequency of fatal crashes.

The tragedy has cast a deep shadow over Bahadurpur village, where relatives and neighbours are mourning the sudden loss of a mother and her young child. The incident has also intensified public calls for stronger road safety measures to prevent similar accidents and protect vulnerable road users across the country.