A passenger bus struck and killed one man along with his daughter on the Thakurgaon-Panchagarh highway on Tuesday morning.
Ashraful Islam, 52, was a CNG autorickshaw driver. His daughter, Rubaiya Khatun, 15, was a ninth-grade student at Boda Pilot Girls' High School.
Every morning, he would drop her off at school before starting his day’s work with the autorickshaw. But on Tuesday, a speeding bus rammed into their vehicle from behind, killing them both.
According to police and witnesses, a VIP Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd bus traveling from Dhaka to Panchagarh was moving at high speed. Near the post office south of Khoshbazar Madrasa in Bhulli, the bus struck a three-wheeled autorickshaw—locally known as a "Paglu"—from behind. It was being driven by Ashraful.
The impact of the collision completely wrecked the autorickshaw. Ashraful Islam died on the spot. His daughter Rubaiya, critically injured, was rescued by locals and taken to Thakurgaon General Hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries on the way.
The sudden and tragic death of the father and daughter has left their family and local community in deep mourning, with grief hanging heavy in the air.
Officer-in-Charge of Bhulli Police Station, Saiful Islam, said: “Upon receiving the news, we immediately rushed to the scene. This is an extremely heartbreaking incident. While the bus has been detained, the driver and his assistant fled the scene. Efforts are underway to apprehend them. The Boda Highway Police will take legal action regarding the incident.”
