1 dead, 10 injured as passenger bus collides with tractor in Hooghly

A fatal road accident occurred in late evening on Thursday in Hooghly district’s Goghat area, where a passenger bus and a tractor collided head-on. The incident took place in the Dharampur area, under Shyambazar Gram Panchayat, along the Kamarpukur–Badanganj stretch of the Arambagh–Badanganj Road.

The bus involved was identified as Maa Siddheshwari (Bus No. 21), which was travelling from Arambagh towards Badanganj. According to eyewitnesses, the collision happened when the bus encountered a sand-laden tractor coming from the opposite direction. The front right portion of the bus was completely crushed due to the impact.

Hearing the crash, local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue the injured. They were taken to Kamarpukur Rural Hospital for immediate treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed the death of a man aged around 55–56 years, identified as Tapan De, a resident of Bishnudaspur in Paschim Medinipur district, who died on the spot.

At least 10 people were reported injured in the collision. Eight of them were shifted to Arambagh Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Two others received first aid and were discharged. A child among the injured sustained a serious leg fracture. Most of the injured reportedly suffered injuries to the lower limbs. One youth from Beldihi village is among the critically injured.

Police from Goghat police station and representatives of the local administration arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. Authorities have confirmed that the bus driver is missing. It is yet to be determined whether he fled or was injured. A formal investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause and sequence of the accident.