Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jul 25: Three people were killed and three others sustained serious injuries after an overloaded auto-rickshaw veered off the road, plunged into a roadside ditch and came into contact with a live low-tension (LT) electricity line in Bihar's Patna district on Saturday.
The accident took place at Byapur village under the Maner police station limits near the Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan on the Ramji Chak–Bank road.
According to preliminary information, the auto-rickshaw, carrying around 10 passengers, was travelling at high speed when it reportedly brushed against a car. The impact caused the driver to lose control, sending the vehicle off the road and into a ditch.
After falling into the ditch, the auto-rickshaw came in contact with an overhead low-tension power line, leading to electrocution of several passengers and triggering panic among those on board.
Three passengers died on the spot, while three others suffered serious injuries. The remaining occupants were rescued by local residents, who rushed to the scene immediately after the accident.
As the incident became known, villagers gathered in large numbers and informed the Dial 112 emergency service and the Maner police. Family members of the victims also reached the site, where scenes of grief unfolded.
On arrival, police coordinated with the electricity department to disconnect power to the overhead line before launching the rescue operation to ensure the safety of rescuers and survivors.
With assistance from local residents, the damaged auto-rickshaw and the victims were pulled out of the ditch. The bodies of the deceased were later sent to Danapur for post-mortem examinations after the completion of legal formalities.
Maner Station House Officer (SHO) Rajnish Kumar confirmed that three people had lost their lives in the incident.
The deceased were identified as Pramod Kumar, son of the late Banarasi Rai of Byapur village; Tuntun, son of Ramaikbal of Byapur village; and Panna Sao, son of Ratan Sao of Goraiyasthan.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the auto-rickshaw losing control and the sequence of events that resulted in the fatal electrocution.