A tragic head-on collision between a bus and an auto-rickshaw on the Pirojpur–Barishal regional highway has claimed the life of an 18-year-old college student and left two others seriously injured. The incident occurred around midday on Thursday, 4 June, in the Dumuritola area, triggering widespread grief and renewed concerns over road safety in the region.
The deceased has been identified as Maria Akhtar, an 18-year-old student of Class XI at Aftab Uddin College. She was the daughter of Abul Kalam from the Baneshwarpur area. According to family sources, Maria was travelling with her mother when the accident took place.
The injured include Maria’s mother, Hawa Begum (45), and the auto-rickshaw driver, Russell (35), a local resident. Both sustained severe injuries and were immediately rushed to Pirojpur District Hospital by locals shortly after the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported that a local bus travelling towards Barishal collided head-on with an oncoming auto-rickshaw. The impact was described as extremely violent, leaving the smaller vehicle completely mangled. Maria reportedly died at the scene due to the severity of her injuries.
Medical officials at the district hospital confirmed that all three victims were brought in shortly after the accident. Doctors stated that Maria had already died before arrival, while the two injured patients were provided emergency treatment. Due to the critical condition of Hawa Begum, she was later referred to a higher medical facility for advanced care. Russell’s condition was also reported to be serious, though stabilised under observation.
Police responded promptly to the scene, bringing the situation under control and initiating legal proceedings. The bus involved in the collision has been seized for investigation, and authorities have confirmed that a formal case has been lodged.
Locals have expressed strong frustration over what they describe as persistent safety failures on the highway. They claim the Dumuritola stretch is particularly hazardous due to its narrow layout and frequent speeding by vehicles. Residents allege that despite repeated accidents, little has been done to improve road conditions or enforce traffic discipline.
The accident has cast a deep shadow over the community, with relatives and neighbours of the deceased mourning her sudden death. Calls for stricter road safety enforcement and infrastructure improvements have intensified in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Accident Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Dumuritola, Pirojpur–Barishal Regional Highway |
| Time | Thursday, around 12:00 noon |
| Victim (Deceased) | Maria Akhtar (18), college student |
| Injured | Hawa Begum (45), Russell (35) |
| Vehicles Involved | Bus and auto-rickshaw |
| Current Status | Bus seized; legal proceedings underway |
The incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures on regional highways across the country.