Tragic Road Accident on Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway: Over-Speeding Scorpio Goes Out of Control and Overturns into a Ditch Near Jhitkahi on Monday Night, Half a Dozen People Heading to See a Fair Gravely Injured
The graph of road accidents in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district shows no signs of slowing down. A gruesome road accident came to light late Monday night on the Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway. According to received information, a high-speed Scorpio suddenly went out of control near Jhitkahi on the highway and plunged into a deep ditch beside the road.
Around half a dozen people aboard the vehicle were gravely injured in this horrific accident. All of them were journeying together to enjoy a local or religious fair, but their joy narrowly escaped turning into mourning mid-way. Chaos erupted on the highway at the time of the incident, following which local villagers and passersby who rushed to the spot displayed exemplary courage by safely pulling all the injured out of the overturned vehicle and rushing them to the hospital.
What is the Whole Matter? (How the Accident Occurred and What the Purpose Was)
The background of how the accident victims were traveling and how the mishap took place has been detailed by locals and the police as follows:
Journey Undertaken for the Fair: All the occupants of the Scorpio are reported to be relatives or acquaintances who had set out on Monday night to attend a local fair. During the journey, the vehicle was moving at a high speed, and due to low visibility or road conditions at night, the vehicle slipped out of the driver's control.
Overturned Near Jhitkahi After Going Out of Control: As it reached near the Jhitkahi intersection on the Muzaffarpur-Barauni National Highway, the Scorpio suddenly went out of control. Before the driver could regain command, the vehicle veered off the road shoulder and overturned straight into a deep ditch.
Vehicle Wrecked: The speed of the vehicle was so high that after overturning into the ditch, the front portion of the Scorpio was badly damaged. The opening of the vehicle's airbags and immediate help from locals averted a major loss of life, otherwise the accident could have been far more catastrophic.
Altruism of Locals and Relief and Rescue Operations
Had local villagers and passersby not immediately stepped forward to help at the time of this road accident, the situation could have turned grave.
Villagers Rescuing the Injured: Hearing the loud crash of the accident, villagers living around Jhitkahi immediately rushed to the spot. Opening the doors of the Scorpio, which had overturned amidst darkness and the ditch, they managed to pull out all half-a-dozen injured individuals trapped inside one by one.
Hospitalization and Medical Assistance: All those injured in the accident were immediately rushed to a local Primary Health Centre (PHC) and later referred to Muzaffarpur Sadar Hospital or a nearby clinic for better treatment. Some of the injured sustained serious injuries to their heads, hands, and legs, and treatment is ongoing.
Prompt Police Action: Upon receiving information about the accident, the local police station reached the spot. Using a crane, the police removed the damaged Scorpio that had overturned in the ditch off the highway to restore smooth traffic flow. The police are now also investigating whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or if the accident happened due to drowsiness.
Concern Over Rising Road Accidents and Safety on the Highway
The occurrence of such accidents on the Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway raises several serious questions regarding administrative and traffic safety arrangements:
High Speed and Negligence: Uncontrolled speeds of heavy vehicles and private cars on highways at night are increasingly becoming the leading cause of accidents. Demands for strict action against drivers violating traffic rules are continuously being raised.
Vigilance During Fairs and Festival Seasons: Often, people put their own and others' lives at risk in a hurry to reach fairs or festivals. The administration repeatedly appeals that special attention be paid to speed limits while driving.
The horrifying incident of a Scorpio filled with people heading to a fair overturning into a ditch near Jhitkahi on the Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway on Monday night, injuring half a dozen people, is spine-chilling. Fortunately, locals showed presence of mind in time to rescue everyone. This accident once again conveys the message that the slightest negligence while driving on the road can prove fatal, which is why every traveler must strictly adhere to traffic rules.
