Jalpaiguri, 19 September (H.S.): Two people, including a 10-year-old child, were killed and nine others injured after an ambulance and a toto (e-rickshaw) collided head-on in Jalpaiguri district on Friday. The deceased have been identified as Mohammad7 Miraj (10), a resident of Dhupjhora, and Biswanath Biswas (32), a resident of Mathabhanga. Four of the nine injured are reportedly in critical condition. All the injured are undergoing treatment at Jalpaiguri Super Speciality Hospital.

The accident took place Friday afternoon in the Bhotpatti Godown area under the jurisdiction of Bhotpatti Outpost of Maynaguri Police Station. According to local sources, the ambulance was travelling from Changrabandha towards Maynaguri, while the toto was heading in the opposite direction, from Maynaguri towards Changrabandha. The two vehicles suddenly collided head-on after the ambulance reportedly lost control.

The impact left the toto badly mangled, while the ambulance was also damaged. Several passengers were thrown out of the toto, while some remained trapped inside. Local residents faced considerable difficulty while rescuing them. They reportedly used ropes tied to both sides of the vehicle to pull the toto upright before rescuing the injured passengers one by one.

The injured were initially taken to Maynaguri Rural Hospital in a local vehicle and a BSF vehicle that happened to be passing through the area. Mohammad Miraj died while undergoing treatment at the Maynaguri Rural Hospital. As the condition of all the injured was reported to be serious, they were subsequently shifted to Jalpaiguri Super Speciality Hospital, where Biswanath Biswas succumbed to his injuries.

The remaining nine injured are currently undergoing treatment at Jalpaiguri Super Speciality Hospital, with four reportedly in critical condition. Police from Bhotpatti Outpost have started an investigation into the accident. The damaged ambulance has been taken into custody. The ambulance driver was also injured in the collision and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey