In the early hours of Tuesday, 17 March, a head-on collision between two motorcycles in Barishal’s Bakerganj Upazila resulted in the death of a young man and left another seriously injured. The tragic accident caused panic among local residents and temporarily disrupted traffic along a major highway.
The incident occurred on the Barishal–Kuakata highway near Ruhitarpara at approximately 8:20 a.m. Police and eyewitnesses report that a motorcycle travelling from Dhaka towards Bauphal collided with another motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. Both riders were thrown onto the road, sustaining severe injuries. Local bystanders immediately rushed the victims to the Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared 23-year-old Saikat deceased on arrival.
Saikat was a resident of Majpara village in Madanpura Union, Bauphal Upazila, Patuakhali. He was the son of the late Shahidul Islam and was returning home from Dhaka on his motorcycle when the fatal crash occurred.
The injured rider, 45-year-old Alauddin, a BRAC officer, hails from Lakuṭia in Kaunia Thana, Barishal. Given the seriousness of his injuries, Alauddin was stabilised at Bakerganj Health Complex before being transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (Shibchar) for advanced treatment.
Officer-in-Charge of Lebukhali Highway Police Station, Md. Saidul Islam, confirmed that both motorcycles involved in the accident are now in police custody. The deceased’s body will be handed over to his family following the completion of formal legal procedures.
A summary of the victims is presented below:
| Serial | Name | Age | Address | Condition | Hospital / Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saikat | 23 | Majpara Village, Madanpura Union, Bauphal, Patuakhali | Deceased | Declared dead at Bakerganj Health Complex |
| 2 | Alauddin | 45 | Lakuṭia, Kaunia, Barishal | Seriously Injured | Transferred to Shibchar for advanced care |
Eyewitnesses stated that the precise cause of the collision remains unclear. It is believed that both motorcycles lost control simultaneously, resulting in the crash. In the aftermath, the Lebukhali Highway Police and local authorities have intensified security measures along the highway.
Authorities have urged motorists, particularly motorcyclists, to exercise greater caution during morning hours, as well as in rainy or foggy conditions, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For the families and community involved, Tuesday morning has been marked by grief and shock, underscoring the urgent need for heightened road safety awareness in the region.