Daijiworld Media Network- Gaya
Gaya, Apr 8: In a heart-wrenching tragedy, four members of a family lost their lives after their SUV veered off a narrow bridge and plunged into a pond in Bihar’s Gaya district late Monday night.
The accident occurred near the Dakhingaon Bridge under the jurisdiction of Wazirganj police station, around midnight, while the family was returning home to Sahawajpur village after attending a Shraddha Karma ceremony in Bihar Sharif.
The deceased have been identified as Shashikant Sharma (43), a prominent farmer and respected figure in his village, his wife Rinki Devi (40), and their two sons, Sumit Anand (17) and Balkrishna (5). Sumit was also known to be active in BJP's local youth wing, adding to the grief in political circles as well.
The family was travelling in a Scorpio SUV when, according to police, the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating the narrow bridge. The vehicle skidded and plunged into a roadside pond. The driver, identified as Sintu, managed to escape from the sinking vehicle and raised an alarm.
His cries for help caught the attention of a nearby hotel operator, who alerted local villagers and informed the police. A rescue operation was swiftly launched, with villagers and police using a JCB machine to retrieve the SUV from the water. Tragically, all four passengers were found dead inside the vehicle.
The news has plunged Sahawajpur village into mourning. Villagers, still reeling from the shock, expressed anguish and disbelief. “When an entire family is gone, what’s the purpose of a post-mortem?” said one grieving neighbour. Reports suggest that Shashikant Sharma’s elderly mother collapsed upon hearing the tragic news and is said to be in critical condition.
Local authorities, including administrative officers, have visited the accident site and assured a detailed investigation. Preliminary findings point to poor visibility and narrow road conditions on the bridge as likely contributors to the accident.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over road safety infrastructure in rural Bihar, particularly on narrow and poorly lit routes. Villagers are now demanding immediate improvements to prevent such incidents in the future.