Dumka: Three persons were killed and two others critically injured after a speeding 16-wheeler truck allegedly rammed an e-rickshaw near Keshro More on the Barharwa-Barhet main road in Sahibganj district on Thursday night, police said.The victims were returning home after selling fruits and vegetables at the Ranga weekly market when the truck, coming from Barharwa towards Ranga, hit the e-rickshaw from the opposite direction around 9pm. The impact dragged the e-rickshaw for nearly 10ft. The truck driver fled the spot.Police identified the deceased as Sahil Sheikh (18) and Qayum Khan (27), both residents of Mughalpara in Barharwa, who died on the spot. Kishore Saha (25) of Patna Chowk succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital.The injured — Suraj Khan (17) and Ahil Khan (12), both from Mughalpara — were admitted to Barharwa community health centre and later referred to a higher facility as their condition remained critical.Soon after the accident, locals blocked the road, demanding action against reckless driving by heavy vehicles. Two bodies remained trapped under the truck’s wheels as protesters initially stopped police from retrieving them. Police pressed two excavators into service for the rescue operation and tried to pacify the crowd. The blockade led to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road.Ranga police station officer in-charge Akhilesh Yadav said the villagers lifted the blockade late at night after being assured of suitable compensation, following which police retrieved the bodies.Police said efforts were on to trace the absconding driver and ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident.
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