Autorickshaw Driver Killed in Patuakhali Bus Collision

An elderly battery-powered autorickshaw driver was killed and a female passenger critically injured after a speeding bus struck their three-wheeler from behind in Mirzaganj Upazila on Wednesday morning.

The deceased was identified as Taiyab Ali Mira, 60, a resident of Betagi Upazila under Barguna district. The critically injured passenger, Piara Begum, 50, is currently undergoing emergency treatment.

Police reports indicate the accident occurred around 9:00 AM on the Subidkhali road in Deuli Subidkhali Union. A Dhaka-bound passenger bus belonging to 'Naba Diganta Paribahan' (Dhaka Metro B 15-2241), speeding from Barguna, rammed into the rear of the battery-powered autorickshaw. The violent impact completely crushed the three-wheeler and threw it off the road, leaving both occupants with catastrophic injuries.

Local residents rushed the victims to the Mirzaganj Upazila Health Complex, where the attending physician declared Taiyab Ali dead on arrival. Due to her deteriorating condition, Piara Begum was immediately transferred to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) for advanced medical care.

The bus driver and his assistant abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene immediately after the crash. Mirzaganj Police Inspector Nurul Islam and his team subsequently seized both the lethal bus and the wrecked autorickshaw.

Mirzaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Salam confirmed that legal proceedings are underway and a police operation has been launched to track down and arrest the fugitive driver.