Patna News: Speeding Sand-Laden Tractor Crushes Groom's Aunt To Death At Wedding Ritual; 50 Narrowly Escape

A festive atmosphere turned into mourning in Chhatarpura village, under the Nagar police station area, when an out-of-control tractor ploughed into a group of women performing wedding rituals. The accident resulted in the immediate death of one woman and left another injured, while more than 50 other women narrowly escaped.

The Accident

The incident occurred on Thursday. The wedding procession (barat) of Satyendra Mahto was scheduled to depart from the village later that day. Prior to this, a group of women were singing traditional songs while walking toward the Parshuram temple to perform religious rituals.

Suddenly, a tractor loaded with sand, arriving from Shivnar at high speed, lost control and drove into the crowd. The impact caused immediate chaos, screams and a stampede among the devotees.

Casualties

Deceased: The victim, identified as Batasa Devi, was the groom’s paternal aunt. She was the wife of the late Bharat Mahto and a resident of Suryagarha in Lakhisarai district. She was crushed under the tractor's wheel and died at the scene.

Injured: Maya Devi, a resident of Bijuliya village, sustained injuries in the collision.

Aftermath And Police Action

Taking advantage of the ensuing chaos, the tractor driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the spot. Angered by the tragedy, local villagers blocked the road in protest.

Mokama police arrived promptly at the scene and managed to persuade the villagers to clear the blockade.

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Seizure: The police seized the tractor and trolley.

Investigation: A case has been registered, and a probe is underway.

Post-Mortem: The body of the deceased has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Public Outcry On Safety

Villagers expressed outrage regarding the condition of the vehicle. They stated that the tractor and trolley were old and dilapidated, yet were being used to transport sand. They blamed the accident on the collapse of the vehicle inspection system, which allowed such unfit vehicles to operate on the roads.

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