What Happened in Bihar's Katihar That Led to Eight Fatalities?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Eight fatalities occurred due to a collision in Katihar.
- Two individuals are in critical condition.
- The accident was exacerbated by corn drying on roads.
- Local community demands better enforcement of road safety regulations.
- Authorities face pressure to act against hazardous practices.
Patna, May 6 (NationPress) Tragedy struck as eight individuals lost their lives and two others suffered serious injuries when a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) collided with a stationary tractor filled with corn in the Kursela police station area of Bihar's Katihar district on Tuesday.
The incident took place around 1 a.m. on State Highway 77, close to the Bajrangbali Temple, as the SUV, which was reportedly part of a wedding procession, slammed into the tractor that was parked by the roadside.
Family members informed that the wedding party was traveling from Barhara Kothi Dibra Bazaar in Purnea district to Koskipur village near Kursela.
As the vehicle approached the Diyara Chandpur bridge, the driver is believed to have lost control, resulting in the accident.
The collision was so forceful that the SUV was left completely mangled.
Local police immediately transported all injured individuals to Sameli Community Health Centre, where medical personnel pronounced eight victims dead upon arrival.
Two critically injured individuals have been referred to a higher-level medical facility for specialized care. Locals attribute the accident to a widespread yet dangerous practice of drying corn on roadways.
Despite frequent accident reports, authorities have allegedly failed to take effective measures to address this hazardous situation.
“Corn is laid out on both National and State Highways for drying, forcing vehicles to maneuver through perilously narrow lanes. In this instance, the driver of the SUV lost control due to a slippery road caused by the maize spread,” stated a local resident.
The local police are currently in the process of identifying the farmers responsible for spreading maize on the road.
Road users have persistently called for stricter regulations, highlighting the increasing accident rates during the harvest season caused by roadside hazards.
On May 4, two people were killed and three others injured in a head-on collision involving a car and a truck in Bihar's Gopalganj district.