14 feared dead in truck accident in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri

JALPAIGURI: Fourteen people were feared dead and several others were injured when a boulder-laden truck overturned and fell on three small vehicles near Jaldhaka Bridge at Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri late on Tuesday.
Sources said the truck lost control, hit several vehicles and overturned on the three vehicles, in which the victims were travelling. Police and rescue teams reached the spot.Police suspected several more people could be seriously injured.

"A vehicle collided head-on with a boulder loaded truck whose driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the divider and slipped towards its right side. Two other vehicles coming from the wrong side collided into the body of the truck due to which boulders loaded in the vehicle fell on them. Another small lorry in front of the truck was also damaged. In all, four vehicles got damaged," Sumant Roy, assistant superintendent of police, Jalpaiguri said.

"Circle inspector of Dhupguri and his team reached the place of accident in less than 10 minutes and multiple cranes were brought. I believe that there was some fog on the road which reduced visibility," he added.
According to cops, the victims were headed to a wedding. Eyewitnesses said several women and children were among the victims. No official confirmation on the death toll or the injured were available.
"The road is now cleared. The driver of the truck survived the accident and has been detained. Treatment of injured at the nearby hospital is being monitored," Roy said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to be given to the kin of those who have lost their lives.
"The road accident in Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) is extremely anguishing. In this time of sadness, prayers with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"From the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in West Bengal. Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured," another tweet by the Prime Minister's Office said.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced ex-gratia of Rs 2.5 lakh each to families of those killed in Bengal's Jalpaiguri road accident and Rs 50,000 each for injured.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)