Two of a family killed in Cumilla ambulance crash while returning home with expat’s body

A road accident claimed two lives in Cumilla's Chauddagram this afternoon (5 July), when an ambulance carrying the body of a Bangladeshi expatriate crashed into a lorry.

The incident occurred around 4:45pm on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in the Batisa area.

The deceased has been identified as Babul Mia, 28, brother of the Saudi expatriate Rubel Mia, 26, and a relative Osman Gani, 31, Mia Bazar Highway Police Station Sergeant Md Saklain told The Business Standard.

"They were accompanying Rubel's body, who passed away in Saudi Arabia, from Dhaka to his hometown of Bhujpur in Chattogram," he said.

Sergeant Saklain added that both the ambulance and the expatriate's body were recovered and taken to the station.

He added, "Traffic is now normal on the highway. After completing legal procedures, the bodies will be handed over to the family."

According to local sources, the high-speed ambulance transporting Rubel's body crashed into the rear of a lorry on the highway. The front portion of the vehicle was severely damaged due to the collision.

Babul died on the spot, while Osman was critically injured. The ambulance driver fled the scene following the accident.

Rescue workers from the police and fire service rushed to the scene and transported Osman to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on the way.