Uncontrolled Hyva Truck Mows Down Youth on NH-80; Admitted to Referral Hospital in Critical Condition
Pirpainti (Bhagalpur): On Wednesday, the horrific face of reckless driving was once again witnessed on the Shivnarayanpur-Lakshmipur road, located on NH-80 in the Pirpainti police station area of Bhagalpur district. An uncontrolled, speeding Hyva truck rammed into a youth, leaving him critically injured. The accident was so severe that the youth collapsed on the spot, unconscious. Following the incident, local residents are filled with immense outrage and have taken to the streets to demand security measures from the administration.
Details of the Incident: The Hyva Truck as a Harbinger of Death
According to eyewitnesses, Vibhash Kumar, who was walking along the roadside near Lakshmipur, was struck by a speeding Hyva truck coming from behind. The impact was so powerful that Vibhash was thrown a significant distance. Locals reported that the driver was operating the heavy vehicle at an excessive speed and lost control while attempting an overtake, leading to this tragic accident.
Immediately after the accident, the driver managed to flee the scene, leaving the vehicle behind. Bystanders shouted for help, but the driver had already taken advantage of the crowd and escaped.
Prompt Response by Locals: An Example of Humanity
Fortunately, the local residents present near the accident site acted swiftly. Without wasting time, they picked up the injured Vibhash Kumar and rushed him to the Pirpainti Referral Hospital.
Doctors at the hospital reported that Vibhash sustained severe injuries to his head and legs. Given his critical condition after primary treatment, he has been referred to the Mayaganj Hospital (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital) in Bhagalpur for advanced medical care. His condition currently remains a cause for concern.
Outrage in the Region: 'The Terror of Hyva Trucks'
Such incidents occurring on NH-80 have now become a major cause of concern for the residents of Pirpainti. The villagers allege:
High Speed and Negligence: Drivers of Hyva trucks and other heavy vehicles engaged in construction work show no regard for human life. They frequently overload their vehicles and drive at high speeds even on narrow roads.
No Fear of the Law: Despite claims of police patrolling and checks, these drivers remain unbridled. Public anger against the administration is at its peak.
Lack of Security: There is neither barricading nor deployment of traffic police in busy areas like Lakshmipur, leading to frequent accidents.
Protest by Villagers: 'We Demand Road Safety'
Protesting against the incident, local residents and family members gathered outside the hospital. They demanded that the involved Hyva truck be seized immediately and the absconding driver be arrested. Local Panchayat representatives have also demanded from the district administration that:
'Speed breakers' and 'checking points' be installed on NH-80 to control the speed of vehicles.
Compensation should be provided to the injured youth's family, and the treatment expenses should be covered by the administration.
Police Action
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Shivnarayanpur OP police reached the spot. The police have seized the Hyva truck from the scene. The Station House Officer stated that the process of registering an FIR has begun based on the statements of the victim's family. He assured that the driver would be identified using CCTV footage and witness statements and would soon be put behind bars.
When Will the System Improve?
This is not the first incident on the Pirpainti-Lakshmipur route. Amidst construction work in the name of road widening, the movement of unbridled heavy vehicles is proving fatal for the general public. The question is, why does the administration remain a silent spectator until the life of a youth is at stake?
Will the administration now formulate a concrete guideline for the operation of heavy vehicles on this route, or will it wait for the next accident? For now, the entire village of Lakshmipur is praying for Vibhash Kumar’s speedy recovery, but this 'dance of death' on the roads has raised major questions about the functioning of the administration.
