Pedestrian killed, 20 injured as bus overturns in Ctg’s Patiya

A pedestrian was killed and at least 20 passengers were injured when a passenger bus overturned in Patiya in Chattogram today (21 March) after the driver tried to avoid hitting him.

The accident occurred at around 12pm on the Patiya bypass road along the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar Highway, in the Paikpara area on the Anwara Road stretch.

The deceased, Abul Kashem, 35, died on the spot, while at least 20 passengers sustained injuries, four of them critically.

Sub-Inspector Md Mostafizur Rahman of Patiya Highway Police outpost said the bus overturned after the driver lost control while trying to avoid the pedestrian. Further legal steps were under process, he said.

According to locals and witnesses, Kashem was crossing the road when he suddenly stopped midway. A speeding Hanif Paribahan bus lost control while trying to save him, struck the divider and overturned.

The crash triggered severe traffic congestion on the bypass for nearly two hours, from 12pm to 2pm, locals said. A team from the fire service rushed to the scene and rescued the injured, taking them to Patiya Upazila Health Complex.

Dr Arup Chowdhury of the hospital’s emergency department said Kashem had died before being brought in, having suffered severe head injuries.

He said all injured passengers received primary treatment, while four in critical condition were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

The injured are identified as Abu Hanif, 38; Abul Kashem, 60; Sirajul Haque, 14; Mohisona, 7; Pranto Shil, 17; Dahan, 17; Aditya Biswas, 13; Minakshi, 38; Jannatul Ferdous, 35; Taspia, 7; Abdur Rahim, 9; Md Ibrahim, 55; Probir Shil, 42; Sharmin Sultana, 25; Sultana Razia, 51; Akter Begum, 55; Wajida, 9; Sobaita Jannat, 9; and Md Yunus, 38.