Nongpoh, Oct 5: A government driver and his co-passenger were killed on the spot when a speeding truck lost control and switched lanes colliding with their Bolero vehicle on NH-6 at Quinine village, near Umsaw Nongkharai village in Ri-Bhoi district on Sunday night.
The accident took place around 8 pm when the empty truck (MLA 05 L 4368) going downhill from Shillong veered off the lane and collided with a Bolero vehicle (ML01 7455) coming in the opposite direction on the other lane.
The Bolero belonging to the District Sports Office in North Garo Hills, was completely wrecked while the truck overturned and came to rest across the highway.
Two of the three persons travelling in the Bolero died on the spot while the condition of the third is stated to be critical. The deceased have been identified as Sanbirth M Momin (Bolero driver) and Smart Sangma. The third occupant who survived the accident with critical injuries has been identified as Nilkash M Momin. He has been admitted to Nongpoh civil hospital.
The truck driver, Anil Dorjee, and his handyman Bibash Thapa sustained minor injuries. The driver has been arrested and taken to Nongpoh Police Station for further questioning.
Ironically, the highway between Shillong and Ri-Bhoi has become a death trap for many travellers. Just a day earlier, four teenage girls were killed when a speeding dumper truck rammed into them at Thadrang village, under Bhoirymbong Community Health Centre jurisdiction. In both cases the accidents occurred after dark.
