A devastating road accident in Bihar's Bhagalpur district has left three members of one family dead after an out of control sand truck overturned onto their roadside home on National Highway 31. The crash, in the Navgachhia subdivision, also left more than seven other family members injured, with treatment continuing at hospital.
How the accident unfolded
The accident happened around 7 in the morning near Bhavanipur police station. A ten wheeled truck loaded with sand was coming from the direction of Khagaria when it suddenly lost control and toppled onto a mud house belonging to Bhikhari Malik in Narayanpur village, right beside the highway. Most family members were inside the house at the time, so several of them were buried under the debris and sand. The house itself was fragile and made of mud, so its roof and walls collapsed the moment the truck slammed into it.
Three dead, including two children
Six year old Ankush Raj and nine year old Radha Kumari died on the spot after being crushed under the debris. Indu Devi, 40, who was critically injured, was first taken to the Community Health Centre in Narayanpur and later referred to JLNMCH, Mayaganj for better treatment as her condition worsened. She died during treatment there.
More than seven injured
Several other family members were also hurt in the accident, including Neeraj Kumar, 22, Guddu Malik, 28, Kare Malik, 14, Mamta Kumari, 17, Sapna Kumari, 12, Mausam Kumari, 20, and seven month old Pritam Kumar. All of them are being treated at hospital, and other family members stayed by their side through the night.
Angry villagers block NH-31
News of the accident triggered panic in the area, and local residents rushed the injured to hospital while also trying to clear the debris. Furious villagers briefly blocked NH-31 near the Narayanpur bus stand in protest. Bhavanipur police reached the spot soon after being alerted and restored traffic after talking to the crowd. The truck has been seized, and police have opened an investigation into the cause of the accident. Early information suggests the driver may also have been trapped inside the vehicle.
Compensation announced, villagers raise questions
The Navgachhia subdivision administration has begun the process of giving four lakh rupees each in ex gratia compensation to the families of the three victims from the disaster relief fund, and officials have assured the family of all possible help. Local villager Ajay Ravidas said the deceased family was extremely poor and was living along the highway in a home made of thatch and tarpaulin. He alleged that the land allotted by the government to the Malik community is not fit to live on, lacking basic facilities such as roads, electricity and drainage. He also said accidents keep happening regularly on the stretch of NH-31 between Pasraha and Navgachhia, claiming several lives every month, yet no concrete steps have been taken to fix the situation. Videos and images from the scene showed the truck deeply embedded in the wreckage of the house, with rescuers and family members frantically searching through the sand and debris for survivors. The tragedy has once again put the spotlight on the safety of families living in makeshift homes along the busy highway corridor.
