5 of family killed in Bhagalpur accident

PATNA: Five members of a family died and seven others were injured when the autorickshaw carrying them collided head-on with a truck on NH-31 near Marwa village in Bhagalpur district on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. The impact of the collision was so intense that the auto was tossed in the air around 25 metres away.
The deceased were identified as Madan Mohan Mandal (40), Tinku Mandal (35), Chatthu Mandal (50), Sajadhar Mandal (55) and Gajendra Jha (43), all from the same family from Purnia district, police sources said.The deceased included the groom's father.
The accident took place when they were going to Narayanpur village for the marriage of one Varun Kumar.
Varun is the son of Chatthu Mandal of Pokhari Tola in Rampur panchayat under Rupauli block in Purnia district.
Jhandapur OP SHO Bhupendra Kumar said the accident occurred between 12.30am and 1am on Tuesday when the wedding party on three autorickshaws and an SUV was going to Narayanpur.
“The two other autorickshaws and the SUV carrying the groom were ahead of the one which met with an accident. The truck driver fled while leaving behind his vehicle,” he told TOI.
He said the truck was seized. “The injured were referred to Mayaganj Hosipital for better treatment.
An FIR was registered against the unknown driver for rash and negligent driving leading to the death of five persons.
Meanwhile, chief minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and directed the Disaster Management Department to pay ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
The CM also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in the accident.