Panic gripped commuters on the Dharmanagar–Kailashahar National Highway in North Tripura district after a speeding dumper allegedly rammed into a stationary stone-laden tipper at Bhagabannagar in the early hours of Thursday, overturning the heavy vehicle. The tipper driver had a narrow escape, while the dumper driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
According to local sources, the six-wheeled tipper loaded with stones was parked on the roadside at Bhagabannagar when a dumper travelling from the Dharmanagar side allegedly lost control and crashed into it with great force. The impact of the collision overturned the tipper onto the roadside, triggering panic among nearby residents who rushed to the spot after hearing the loud crash.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. Sources said the tipper driver was not inside the vehicle at the time of the collision, sparing him from what could have been a fatal accident. Although the vehicle sustained significant damage, the mishap did not result in any injuries.
However, the dumper driver allegedly sped away from the scene without stopping to assess the damage or assist those affected, drawing criticism from local residents. The fleeing vehicle has prompted demands for swift action against the driver responsible for the collision.
The latest accident has once again brought the issue of road safety on the Dharmanagar–Kailashahar National Highway into focus. Residents alleged that over speeding and reckless driving by heavy vehicles have become a recurring problem on the busy stretch, leading to frequent accidents and posing a serious risk to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Locals urged the authorities to strengthen traffic enforcement measures, including stricter monitoring of heavy vehicles, speed regulation, and regular highway patrol’s to prevent such incidents in the future. They said timely intervention by the administration is essential to improve safety on the highway and reduce the growing number of road accidents.
Police are expected to investigate the incident and make efforts to identify the dumper involved based on eyewitness accounts and other available evidence.