Ramgarh pickup van-truck collision kills eight band members, probe ordered

Ramgarh: Eight members of a band party were killed when their pickup van collided head-on with a speeding truck on the Ramgarh-Bokaro stretch of NH-23 near Barlong village in Ramgarh district late on Thursday, police said.The deceased have been identified as Hemant Mahto, 27, Manish Kumar, 22, Anod Kumar, 30, Shakti Kalindi, 35, Ashok Kalindi, 40, Vishal Karmali, 25, Pawan Karmali, 30, and Pappu Karmali, 26.The victims were returning to Ramgarh after performing at an event when the accident occurred around 11:30 pm. The impact left the pickup van mangled, with all occupants critically injured. The truck driver fled after the accident.“They were rushed to Sadar Hospital in Ramgarh, where all eight were declared brought dead,” said Krishna Kumar, officer in-charge of Rajrappa police station.Following the accident, hundreds of villagers blocked the highway, demanding action. Senior police and administrative officers reached the spot to pacify the crowd and restore traffic movement.Ramgarh deputy commissioner Rituraj said a probe was ordered and directed the district transport officer (DTO) to conduct an inquiry. “The NHAI has also been asked to carry out a technical review as the stretch has turned into an accident black spot. All possible measures will be taken to improve road safety,” he said.Subdivisional officer Krishna Murari Tirkey said the process of providing compensation to the victims’ families, as per state govt norms, has been initiated.