Police primarily assumed that the accident that killed six people on the spot at Zajira in Shariatpur on the Dhaka-Bhanga highway, occurred as the ambulance driver fell asleep at the wheel.
The accident took place around 4am on Tuesday in the upazila.
Inspector (Investigation) Suruj Uddin Ahmed of Padma Bridge south police station said: "I suddenly heard loud screams near the police station. I got out and saw that six people were dead on the spot due to an accident. Later, I informed the fire service and rescued the car and the bodies with them.”
He also said that it is apparently assumed that the tragic road crash took place when the driver of the speeding ambulance lost control over the wheel as he fell asleep. Later, the vehicle hit a cylinder-laden truck.
The accident left six passengers including the driver dead on the spot, he said.
The deceased are patient Jahanara Begum, 55, nurse Fazley Rabbi, 28, the patient's daughter Lutfunnahar Lima, 30, driver Zilani, 28, driver's assistant Rabiul Islam, 26, and journalist Masud Rana.
The truck driver and helper fled the scene after the accident.
The truck was seized and an attempt is being made to arrest the truck driver, said the police official.
Also Read: 6 killed in truck-ambulance collision in Shariatpur
Firefighter Ujjal Kumar of Zajira Fire Service Station said: "We received information about the accident around 4am. The ambulance was going to Dhaka from Barisal. There was a patient in it. Six bodies have been recovered so far.”
In this regard, the highway's Faridpur Circle ASP Maruf Hasan said: "We went to the spot along with the fire service and Padma Bridge south police station and recovered the bodies of the victims. Family members of the deceased have been informed. The bodies will be handed over to them from here (hospital).”
Dr Masudul Hasan, duty doctor at Zajira Upazila Health Complex, said: “Immediately after the accident, the police rescued the six people and brought them to the hospital. They were examined and found to be already dead. The process of sending their bodies to the district hospital is underway. After the autopsy, the bodies will be handed over to the family.”
