E-rickshaw-motorcycle collision in Katihar kills 1, injures 4 on SH-77
Synopsis
Two separate road accidents in Bihar's Katihar district on the same Monday claimed three lives in total. The first involved an e-rickshaw and motorcycle on State Highway-77, killing one and injuring four; the second, a tractor overturning on the Pothia-Dumar road, killed two youths on the spot. Police investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.
Key Takeaways
One person — believed to be the Toto (e-rickshaw) driver — was killed after a collision with a motorcycle on State Highway-77 near Dumariya Mahanth Sthan, Katihar on Monday night .
Four people were injured; Mahtab Ansari was referred to a higher medical centre with serious injuries.
The Toto was reportedly carrying about six passengers when the collision occurred.
In a separate accident the same day, Safikul Ansari and Mohammad Manir died after a tractor overturned near Kushiyari Mor on the Pothia-Dumar road.
SHO Rakesh Kumar confirmed both probes are underway; the deceased Toto driver's identity had not been established at the time of the report.
One person was killed and four others were injured after a Toto (electric rickshaw) collided with a motorcycle near Dumariya Mahanth Sthan on State Highway-77 in Katihar district, Bihar, on Monday night. The impact triggered panic at the scene, with bystanders rushing to assist those trapped in the wreckage.
How the accident unfolded
According to preliminary investigation, the Toto was travelling from Kursela towards Rupauli carrying approximately six passengers when it collided with the motorcycle. The direction from which the motorcycle was approaching and the precise circumstances of the collision remain unclear, officials said.
A Dial 112 police team reached the spot after receiving information and transported the injured to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kursela. Doctors there declared one of the victims dead during a medical examination. The deceased is believed to be the Toto driver, though his identity had not been established at the time of filing this report.
Injured victims and their condition
The four injured were identified as Mahtab Ansari of Devipur, Dinesh Prasad Yadav of Baghwa, Pujan Mahto of Rajjiganj, and Ambika Mandal. Mahtab, who sustained serious injuries, was referred to a higher medical centre for advanced treatment, while the remaining three continue to receive care at CHC Kursela.
Station House Officer Rakesh Kumar said police were working to establish the deceased's identity and determine the exact cause of the collision. Further investigation is underway.
Second fatal accident on same day in Katihar
In a separate incident earlier on Monday morning, two youths were killed on the spot after a tractor overturned near Kushiyari Mor on the Pothia-Dumar road in Katihar district. According to officials, five people, including the driver, were aboard when the vehicle suddenly went out of control and overturned.
The deceased were identified as Safikul Ansari and Mohammad Manir, both residents of Jira Patti under the Barari police station area. Three others sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. The accident drew a crowd and left the victims' families reportedly inconsolable.
Investigation status
Probes into both accidents are currently underway. The Monday incidents underscore persistent road-safety concerns on state highways and rural roads in Katihar district, where overloading and poor lighting at night remain cited factors in recurring crashes. Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on either probe's findings.
Point of View
Not isolated misfortune. Katihar's state highways and rural roads share the same structural problems seen across Bihar — inadequate lighting, overloaded vehicles, and minimal enforcement of speed norms after dark. The fact that both the e-rickshaw and the tractor were reportedly carrying more occupants than advised is a detail that deserves more than a footnote in the police FIR. Bihar's road-accident fatality count consistently ranks among the highest in India; without targeted enforcement on night-time stretches of state highways, the next incident is a matter of time, not chance.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Katihar e-rickshaw accident?
A Toto (electric rickshaw) collided with a motorcycle near Dumariya Mahanth Sthan on State Highway-77 in Katihar, Bihar, on Monday night, killing one person and injuring four others. The deceased is believed to be the Toto driver, though his identity had not been confirmed when reports were filed.
Who were the injured in the Katihar road accident?
The four injured were identified as Mahtab Ansari of Devipur, Dinesh Prasad Yadav of Baghwa, Pujan Mahto of Rajjiganj, and Ambika Mandal. Mahtab Ansari, who sustained serious injuries, was referred to a higher medical facility, while the others are being treated at CHC Kursela.
Was there a second accident in Katihar on the same day?
Yes. Earlier on Monday morning, two youths — Safikul Ansari and Mohammad Manir of Jira Patti — died after a tractor overturned near Kushiyari Mor on the Pothia-Dumar road. Three others were injured and hospitalised.
What is the status of the police investigation?
Station House Officer Rakesh Kumar said police are working to establish the identity of the deceased Toto driver and determine the cause of the collision. Investigations into both the SH-77 accident and the tractor overturning are currently underway.
Why do such accidents occur frequently on Bihar's state highways?
Road safety experts and officials have repeatedly cited overloading, poor night-time lighting, and inadequate enforcement of speed limits on Bihar's state and rural roads as key contributors to frequent accidents. Both incidents in Katihar on Monday reportedly involved vehicles carrying multiple occupants.
