Two Killed in Fatal Expressway Hit-and-Run Incident

Two individuals, a lorry driver and his assistant, lost their lives in the early hours of Saturday following a collision on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway. The incident occurred at approximately 04:15 in the Bamankanda area of Bhanga Upazila, Faridpur, situated roughly 500 yards east of the Bogail Toll Plaza on the lane bound for Bhanga.

Circumstances of the Accident

According to reports from the Shibchar Highway Police and local witnesses, the freight lorry was en route from Dhaka towards Bhanga. During the journey, one of the rear tyres of the vehicle punctured in the Bamankanda vicinity. The driver and his assistant subsequently pulled the vehicle over to the side of the expressway to carry out emergency repairs.

While the two men were engaged in changing the damaged tyre, an unidentified vehicle travelling from Dhaka struck them from behind. The offending vehicle did not stop at the scene and fled the area immediately. Due to the severity of the impact, both men succumbed to their injuries instantly at the site of the accident.

Victim Profiles

The deceased have been identified as residents of the Rupdia area within the Jessore Sadar Upazila.

Police Response and Investigation

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibchar Highway Police, Md. Mizanur Rahman, confirmed that police units arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The authorities have completed the preliminary inquest reports (Surat-hal) for both victims. The bodies have since been transported to the Faridpur Medical College Hospital morgue for post-mortem examinations.

The freight lorry involved in the initial breakdown has been recovered and is currently held in the custody of the Shibchar Highway Police Station. Law enforcement agencies have launched a formal operation to identify the vehicle responsible for the hit-and-run and to apprehend the driver.

Regional Context: Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway

The Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway, officially known as the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Highway, is Bangladesh’s first high-speed access-controlled road. Spanning approximately 55 kilometres, it connects the capital to the southern districts via the Padma Bridge.

While the expressway has significantly reduced travel times, the Shibchar Highway Police have previously noted concerns regarding stationary vehicles on the hard shoulder and high-speed nocturnal traffic. Under standard safety protocols for such motorways, drivers are advised to use hazard lighting and reflective triangles when performing emergency roadside repairs to alert oncoming traffic, particularly during low-visibility hours such as the pre-dawn period when this incident occurred.

The investigation remains ongoing as police review available surveillance and toll plaza data to track the fleeing vehicle.