3 killed, 2 critically hurt as truck hits SUV on NH-19 in Bihar's Aurangabad
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Three members of a family, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed and two others critically injured after a truck collided head-on with an SUV on NH-19 in Aurangabad district, Bihar, on Thursday morning, 12 November. The crash, one of the deadliest single-family road accidents reported in the region this month, left the occupants trapped in a badly mangled vehicle before locals and emergency responders could extract them.
How the Accident Unfolded
The collision occurred near the Ratanua petrol pump under the jurisdiction of Aurangabad Nagar police station. The family was travelling in a hired SUV when it met the oncoming truck in a violent head-on impact. The force of the crash severely damaged the vehicle, trapping those inside. Hearing screams, nearby residents rushed to the scene and initiated rescue efforts before alerting the police.
A highway response team subsequently reached the spot and transported the injured to Aurangabad Sadar Hospital. Three occupants had already succumbed to their injuries by the time they arrived for treatment.
Who Was in the Vehicle
The deceased have been identified as Rajkumar Chauhan (48), a Mumbai-based worker; his eight-year-old son Ritesh; and his father-in-law Bhagwan Das. The critically injured are Nitish Chauhan, Rajkumar's brother-in-law, and his wife Kiran Kumari.
According to reports, the family had travelled from Mumbai to Varanasi by bus before hiring the SUV to reach their native village in Nawada district. Rajkumar's father-in-law, brother-in-law, and another female relative were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Official Response and Treatment
Aurangabad SHO Baban Baitha confirmed the fatalities, stating that three people had died and three others were critically injured. 'All the injured have been referred to Magadh Medical College. After receiving information about the accident, the families of the deceased reached Aurangabad Sadar Hospital,' he said.
Given the critical condition of the survivors, doctors at Aurangabad Sadar Hospital administered initial care before transferring them to Magadh Medical College Hospital in Gaya for advanced treatment. Police have registered the incident, and an investigation is underway.
Road Safety Context
NH-19, which passes through Bihar connecting major cities, has been a recurring site of serious road accidents. This incident adds to growing concerns about highway safety, particularly at unlit junctions and fuel station vicinities where vehicles frequently slow down or change lanes unpredictably. This is not the first fatal head-on collision reported on this stretch in recent months, underscoring the need for better enforcement of lane discipline and speed limits on national highways in the state.