5 critical among 9 injured in bike-auto collision in Sribhumi

Silchar: At least nine people, including three women, were injured — five of them critically — in a head-on collision between an autorickshaw and a motorcycle at Kalacherra under Bazaricherra police station in Assam’s Sribhumi district, police said.The accident took place on the Lowairpoa–Kanmun road on Thursday evening when the two vehicles collided, prompting locals to rush to the spot and assist in rescue operations.Motorcycle rider Lalbabu Lohar (26) and pillion rider Pradip Nunia sustained grievous injuries and are among those in critical condition. The autorickshaw driver, Pritam Paul (23), along with six passengers, also suffered injuries in the crash.Police said the autorickshaw was travelling from Bazaricherra towards Katamoni, while the motorcycle was coming from Ichabil from the opposite direction when the collision occurred on a narrow and risky stretch. Both vehicles were badly damaged.The injured were initially taken to Bazaricherra primary health centre before the critically wounded were shifted to Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital.

As their condition worsened, Lalbabu Lohar and Pradip Nunia were referred to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).On Friday, three more autorickshaw passengers were shifted to SMCH after their health deteriorated, while others were discharged following treatment.Police reached the spot soon after the incident, seized the vehicles and launched an investigation. Officials also visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured.The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, particularly as five members of a single family from Katamoni were among those injured. The injured motorcyclists are residents of the Ichabil tea estate.