Two killed, 6 injured after lorry hits car in Asansol; Were going to Kumbh

A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two people and left six others injured near Asansol while they were en route to Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The incident occurred on National Highway 19 at the Chowrangi intersection under Kulti police station limits. The injured, including four women, are currently receiving treatment at Asansol District.

The accident took place when eight members of two families, hailing from Ayodhya village in Bishnupur, Bankura, were traveling in a jeep towards Prayagraj for the holy bath at the Maha Kumbh. According to the driver, Somnath Chakraborty, their vehicle was moving at a speed of 70-80 kmph when it was suddenly hit by a lorry, causing it to crash into a stationary container.

The impact of the collision proved fatal for 65-year-old Shantanu Mukherjee and 60-year-old Shailen Banerjee, who succumbed to their injuries on the spot. The police later sent their bodies to Asansol District Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Among the injured are Shantanu Mukherjee’s son, Saurabh Mukherjee, his wife Manasa Mukherjee, and their daughter-in-law Ananya Mukherjee (27). Shailen Banerjee’s wife, Rumpa Banerjee, along with his close relative, Shiuli Karmakar, also suffered injuries. Shiuli Karmakar remains in critical condition, while the vehicle’s driver, Somnath Chakraborty, sustained minor injuries.

The local police have launched an investigation into the accident. Authorities are also looking into the possibility of overspeeding or reckless driving by the lorry that hit the jeep.