3 killed as truck ploughs into pedestrians in Cox’s Bazar town

At least three persons, including a woman, were killed and 10 more injured after a speeding truck smashed into roadside tea stalls and parked vehicles in Cox's Bazar town.

The incident took place at 11 pm on Saturday in front of the Hotel World Beach Resort at Dolphin Junction in Kolatoli.

The deceased are- District and Sessions Judge's Court Senior Lawyer, Md Osman Gani, Momena Begum, 60, wife of Lal Mia in Kolatoli area and Shahadat Hossain, 45, of Dhaka Uttara area.

"Lawyer Osman Gani breathed his last at 4am around four hours later the accident occurred. He was undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital," Advocate Zia Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of the district lawyers' association confirmed his death.

The bodies have been sent to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Cox's Bazar Fire Service and Traffic Police rescued the injured and the dead with the help of locals. The injured were taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Citing SI Anwar Hossain of Cox's Bazar city police outpost, Additional Superintendent of Police Rafiqul Islam, said, "A truck heading towards Cox's Bazar lost control and crashed into pedestrians at around 11 pm on Saturday. Two people were killed on the spot when they were crushed under the truck. At least 10 others were injured in the incident."

Among the injured are Advocate Osman, 45, of Baharchhara area of Cox's Bazar, Jasim Uddin, 25, of Kotbazar area of Ukhiya, Mujib, 45, Jiku, 30, Joynal, 35, of Maheshkhali area, Abul Hossain, 45, Rashedul Haque, 17. The others have not been identified yet. Two of the injured have been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Witnesses said the truck lost control and crashed into two CNG autorickshaws and two easy bikes. About 10-15 people were crushed under the truck. 

Jhilangja Union Chairman Tipu Sultan said, "Even though there is a bus terminal, tourist vehicles and buses are parked on both sides of the bypass road up to the beach point area of Kalatali due to unknown reasons. As a result, accidents and traffic jams have become a matter of routine." 

Chairman Tipu demanded a proper investigation into the incident.