2 killed, 21 injured as RAB coaster collides with passenger bus in Patuakhali
“The accident occurred due to reckless overtaking by the Dhanshiri Paribahan bus,” said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sajedul Islam Sajal
Two people, including a child of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) member, were killed and at least 21 others injured when a RAB minibus collided head-on with a passenger bus of Dhanshiri Paribahan on the Barishal-Patuakhali-Kuakata highway this morning (11 October).
The accident took place around 8:30am in the Fatulla Bazar area of Patuakhali Sadar upazila, police said.
The deceased were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Halim, the driver of the RAB coaster, and two-year-old Piyam, the son of a RAB member, confirmed Patuakhali police.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to police, the RAB coaster was travelling towards Kuakata carrying around 30 family members of RAB personnel when it collided head-on with a Dhanshiri Paribahan bus coming from the opposite direction.
Local residents, members of the Fire Service, and RAB-8 personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured. The victims were taken to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital and the local Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment.
"The accident occurred due to reckless overtaking by the Dhanshiri Paribahan bus," said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sajedul Islam Sajal.
He added, "The Dhanshiri Paribahan bus, coming from Kuakata, tried to overtake another vehicle at high speed and collided with the RAB coaster coming from the opposite direction. We rescued the injured and sent them to Patuakhali CMH, where the RAB driver and a child succumbed to their injuries."
