KKN Gurugram Desk | Another horrific road accident has been reported from Bihar, where three individuals lost their lives following a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup vehicle. The incident occurred late at night on Monday in the Maharajganj police station area, near Afrad Mod in Siwan district.

This tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about road safety and reckless driving on Bihar’s highways.

Accident Details: How the Tragedy Unfolded

According to preliminary police reports, the accident took place around midnight when a high-speed truck collided head-on with a pickup vehicle carrying fruit cargo. The impact was so intense that the front of the pickup was completely crushed, and all three occupants were killed on the spot or succumbed shortly after.

Key facts:

• Location: Afrad Mod, under Maharajganj police jurisdiction, Siwan district

• Time: Midnight, Monday (June 9–10)

• Vehicles involved: One truck and one pickup

• Cargo: The pickup was loaded with mangoes, en route from Muzaffarpur

• Fatalities: Three

Identities of the Deceased Confirmed

Authorities have confirmed the identities of the three men who died in the collision:

1. Bhola Sah – Resident of Andar Bazar, Andar police station area

2. Ali Hussain – Also from Andar region

3. Arvind Kumar Gond – Resident of Sanjalpur

All three were traveling together in the pickup van, returning from Muzaffarpur after purchasing mangoes, likely for local retail or wholesale purposes.

Their families have been informed, and postmortem procedures are being carried out by Maharajganj police.

Scene at the Crash Site: Local Panic and Police Response

Soon after the accident, the local residents gathered at the spot. Eyewitnesses reported that the collision noise was so loud that nearby villagers rushed to the scene within minutes. The accident caused a brief traffic jam, and the mangled vehicles blocked the road.

Emergency actions:

• Police from Maharajganj Police Station arrived at the scene within half an hour.

• Ambulances were dispatched, but two of the victims had already died by the time help arrived.

• The third victim succumbed to injuries while being taken to a hospital.

• Wreckage from both vehicles was removed using a crane by early morning to clear the road.

Cause of the Accident: Speeding Likely Culprit

While the exact cause is under investigation, overspeeding and poor night-time visibility are being cited as the primary reasons for the crash.

According to locals, trucks often travel at excessive speeds on this stretch of the highway, especially at night. Lack of street lighting, no divider, and poor road conditions may have contributed to the collision.

Police have seized both vehicles and are conducting a mechanical examination to rule out brake failure or other technical issues.

Mango Trade and Midnight Travel: A Dangerous Mix?

The victims were part of a group that regularly transported fruits from Muzaffarpur to Siwan. This trade usually happens late at night or early in the morning to ensure fresh stock at local markets. However, such timings also come with increased road hazards, especially on highways prone to heavy truck movement.

Local fruit traders, while expressing grief, pointed out that:

“We have to travel at night because that’s when fruits arrive fresh. But such tragedies are a risk we live with.”

District Administration’s Statement

Speaking to KKNLive, a senior official from the Siwan District Administration said:

“We have instructed the local police to investigate the incident thoroughly. Road safety enforcement will be increased in the Maharajganj area, especially during night hours.”

The official also confirmed that the families of the deceased will be eligible for compensation under the Mukhyamantri Road Accident Relief Scheme, subject to verification.

Rising Road Accidents in Bihar: A Disturbing Trend

This is not an isolated case. Bihar has witnessed a sharp increase in road accidents in recent years, especially involving commercial vehicles.

Statistics (as per Bihar Traffic Department, 2024):

• Over 7,000 road accidents reported across the state last year.

• More than 4,500 fatalities recorded, with a large number occurring between 10 PM and 5 AM.

• 60% of fatal crashes involved trucks, buses, and pickups.

Highways in districts like Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, and Chhapra are particularly dangerous due to:

• Narrow roads

• Encroachments

• Lack of proper signage

• Negligent driving

Public Reaction and Demands

Local residents and community leaders have expressed anger over the lack of proper traffic regulation in the area. Some of the demands raised include:

• Installation of speed breakers near key junctions like Afrad Mod

• Deployment of night patrol units on accident-prone stretches

• Regular alcohol breath tests for commercial drivers

• Installation of CCTV cameras at high-risk intersections

Villagers also urged the administration to run road safety awareness campaigns targeting drivers and traders who operate at night.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

As per the latest update from the Maharajganj Police Station:

• FIR has been registered under sections pertaining to reckless driving and causing death by negligence.

• The truck driver is absconding and efforts are underway to locate and arrest him.

• Autopsy reports will be released shortly to establish the exact cause of death.

• A compensation request has been forwarded to the District Collector’s office.

Family Grief and Final Rites

The bodies of the deceased are being handed over to their families after postmortem. Grieving relatives and neighbors gathered at the homes of the victims in Andar Bazar and Sanjalpur, where the atmosphere remained somber.

Funeral preparations are underway, and the community is coming together to support the bereaved families.

This tragic collision in Siwan is yet another reminder that highway safety in Bihar requires urgent attention. From enforcing speed limits to regulating nighttime cargo transport, systemic measures are the need of the hour.

Until then, innocent lives will continue to be lost on roads that are increasingly becoming death corridors.