What began as a joyous Saraswati Puja immersion turned deadly in Bihar’s Samastipur when a crowded tractor-trolley plunged into a ditch, killing two children and injuring more. The incident in Chakmahesi area has shocked the local community and prompted a police inquiry.
Around 25 villagers from Bhuskaul had traveled to Namapur Shanti River for the ceremony. On the way back, the overloaded vehicle lost balance near the bridge while overtaking, flipping into a 20-foot-deep crater. Four people were pinned under the heavy machinery, sparking immediate panic.
With cries echoing across the fields, nearby residents arrived en masse, deploying a JCB to hoist the trolley. The injured were hurried to Kalyanpur PHC, where tragedy struck: Umashankar Thakur’s children, Abhiraj (7) and Anushka (4), did not survive. Driver Vijay Trivedi and Suman Kumar fight for life at Sadar Hospital.
Overloading remains a persistent issue in rural processions. Officials are examining if road conditions contributed. Families demand compensation and stricter oversight, vowing this loss won’t be in vain. The village wraps in sorrow, a stark reminder of festival safety imperatives.