A tragic accident occurred late last night in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, when a laden truck lost control and plunged into the Kumar River, breaking through the bridge railing. Both the truck’s driver, Sohel Sheikh (27), and his assistant, Mobarak Hossain (20) lost their lives in the incident. The accident took place at approximately 1:00 a.m., near the Goraganj Bazar section of the old Bordah Bridge on the Jhenaidah–Kushtia highway.
The deceased were residents of Gajamnikund village in Pabna Sadar Upazila. Sohel Sheikh was the son of Abul Kalam Sheikh, and Mobarak Hossain was the son of Jafar Mia. The truck, carrying a heavy load of goods, was travelling from Jessore to Kushtia at the time of the accident.
According to Abdus Salam, Deputy Director of Jhenaidah Fire Service and Civil Defence, the truck lost control while crossing the bridge, causing it to break through the railing and fall into the river. Emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. One unit from Jhenaidah Fire Service and two units from Shailkupa station arrived to begin rescue operations.
Recovery efforts continued through the night. Mobarak Hossain’s body was recovered at dawn, while Sohel Sheikh’s body was retrieved at around 8:00 a.m. The truck was also successfully removed from the river following the operation.
The tragic incident prompted a site visit by Jhenaidah District Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud this morning, who inspected the bridge and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine whether road conditions or vehicle malfunction contributed to the crash.
Locals have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the old Bordah Bridge and have called for urgent repairs to prevent further tragedies. Emergency and safety officials have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution when crossing bridges, especially at night or during adverse weather conditions.
Incident Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Last night, approximately 1:00 a.m. |
| Location | Goraganj Bazar, Old Bordah Bridge, Shailkupa, Jhenaidah |
| River | Kumar River |
| Vehicle | Heavy-load truck |
| Fatalities | Driver: Sohel Sheikh (27), Assistant: Mobarak Hossain (20) |
| Home District | Gajamnikund Village, Pabna Sadar Upazila |
| Rescue Units | Jhenaidah Fire Service (1), Shailkupa Station (2) |
| Recovery Times | Mobarak: dawn, Sohel: 8:00 a.m. |
| Official Inspection | District Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud |
The accident underscores the importance of bridge safety, vehicle maintenance, and strict adherence to traffic regulations. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will follow to prevent similar incidents in the future.