Freedom fighter among 3 killed in road crash

Three people were killed and two others wounded as a bus hit an auto-rickshaw at village Debipur in Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur on Sunday morning.

Two of the deceased were identified as Abu Zafar Howlader, 65, a freedom fighter and businessman, and Belayet Hossain, 35, driver of the auto-rickshaw. Both of the victims were from Debipur.

Abu Zafar Howlader, his son Golam Hossain Howlader and nephew Saimun Hawlader got on the auto-rickshaw for Ikri Bazar on Mathbaria-Charkhali road in Musullibari around 5:30am, according to the injured, fire service and hospital sources. A Mathbaria-bound Eagle Paribahan bus crashed into the stationary vehicle leaving one dead on the spot.

On information, fire service men rescued four and took them to the Upazila Health Complex where the physician declared two dead.

Golam Hossain Howlader and Saimun Hawlader were sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for better treatment.

Shahidul Islam, sub-inspector at Mathbaria police station, confirmed the incident and said the bus was seized, but the driver has managed to flee the scene.

One of the victims is yet to be identified, he added.