One killed in road accident

TT, Alipurduar, Aug. 21: The driver of a tractor was killed when it was hit by a school bus carrying five children at Dalshingpara near Jaigaon today. The children, all between five to eight years, did not suffer major injuries.

Today around 8.30am, a tractor from a tea garden near Hasimara was going towards Jaigaon along the SAARC Road when the school bus hit the tractor from the rear. The driver and helper of the tractor fell off the vehicle after the collision.

Sources said the bus was travelling at a high speed and after hitting the tractor, it went flying over the tractor before hitting the road.

After the accident, the driver of the bus fled. Dalshingpara is 48km from here.

Local people rushed in and pulled out the five children, all students of B.D. Memorial English Medium School in Jaigaon. The students were taken to a local chemist and administered first aid.

Dilip Darji, 41, the driver of the tractor, died after he was taken to Hasimara Airforce Hospital. Sources said he had a head injury after falling off the tractor. The helper of the tractor, also admitted to the hospital, is said to be critical.

Alipurduar police chief Anup Jaiswal said: “Both the vehicles have been taken to Hasimara police outpost. The bus driver is absconding.”

The school and the tea garden have lodged separate complaints with Jaigaon police.